Digital Humanism: The Constitutional Message of the GDPR

3(1) Global Privacy Law Review 4, 2022

23 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2022

See all articles by Edoardo Celeste

Edoardo Celeste

Dublin City University - School of Law and Government

Giovanni De Gregorio

Católica Global School of Law, Lisbon; Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Date Written: 2021

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the constitutional message of the GDPR in the algorithmic society. Although the GDPR does not formally have any constitutional character, it can be said to play a para-constitutional role from a functional point of view: it translates and implements core constitutional principles in the context of the algorithmic society. This paper traces the legislative origin of the GDPR’s framework on automated decision-making showing that it aims to enhance a series of key constitutional values, preserving human autonomy, increasing legal certainty, and providing more procedural safeguards. The paper finally highlights how the GDPR is promoting a constitutional message deeply rooted in a new form of ‘digital humanism’: a conception of the digital society where the human being and her dignity should resolutely outrank machines, technology and, ultimately, economic efficiency.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, GDPR, digital humanism, rule of law, human dignity, constitutionalism.

Suggested Citation

Celeste, Edoardo and De Gregorio, Giovanni, Digital Humanism: The Constitutional Message of the GDPR (2021). 3(1) Global Privacy Law Review 4, 2022 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4045029

Edoardo Celeste

Dublin City University - School of Law and Government ( email )

Dublin
Ireland

HOME PAGE: http://www.dcu.ie/lawandgovernment/people/edoardo-celeste

Giovanni De Gregorio (Contact Author)

Católica Global School of Law, Lisbon ( email )

Lisbon
Portugal

Universidade Católica Portuguesa ( email )

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