Stanford CIS

The main differences between internet privacy in the US and the EU

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""[They have] this idea that privacy is something that's quite central, that it could be thought of in terms of if property rights," said Indiana University associate professor Scott Shackelford, who teaches cybersecurity law. "Having privacy be the starting point and carving out free speech."

The U.S. does the reverse, Shackelford said. Free speech is paramount, and privacy protections are carved out as exceptions.

"The idea in the EU is you should have some control over your information," said Henry Farrell, an associate professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University. "There is some variation in enforcement across specific sectors, but basic principles apply for whatever commercial sector you're in, so you don't have the same kind of patchwork of legislation you have in the U.S.""

Published in: Press , EU law , Data Privacy , Privacy