Privacy in the Digital Age: Fact or Fiction?

Abstract

This paper examines the history, drivers, issues, and various legal approaches to protecting privacy (unified and sector) with a focus on the United States, and to a large degree on data privacy. A determination is made whether either approach affords the individual privacy in the digital age. The paper examines specific risks as well as fundamental challenges facing the privacy paradigm.

Keywords: Privacy, exploitation, technology compromises, digital avatars, national security, data repositories, Maslow, unified approach, sector approach, new threats, borders and trust

JEL Classification: C88, K10, K33, K42, L86, M14, M41