The Right to Be Forgotten: Its Weaknesses and Alternatives

Abstract

In this article we argue that the European Union directive on “the right to be forgotten” is unrealistic and suggest instead a series of principles that can protect us from the potentially harmful publication of private information. The dissemination of personal information through public and private databases as well as social media is gradually educating humanity about reality: humans are weak; everyone misbehaves; and we need to learn to accept public knowledge of the imperfections of ourselves and others.

Keywords: right to be forgotten, privacy, Europe

JEL Classification: L86, J68, O33, M51, O52, K20, K30, D80, J20