Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Tunick, Mark

Abstract

In 28 European countries, removing personal data from the Internet is as simple as filling out a form online by anyone claiming a ‘right to be forgotten’. Most decisions regarding data removal are left to companies who operate search engines like Google and Microsoft, with little judicial involvement beyond the appeals process. I analyze how removal of information from Internet search results may negatively affect historical accuracy, free speech and the public interest. I will argue that the European courts should have more involvement, and I propose alternative ways to implement the right to be forgotten that will be less overreaching than current policies. These suggestions aim to decrease the current number of data removal cases to provide a more manageable caseload for European courts to handle, and lessen the role played by companies such as Google in deciding whether or not to erase search engine results online.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Extent

85 p.

Identifier

FA00012606

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