The Right to Be Forgotten: More Than a Pandora?s Box?

• Author: Rolf H. Weber
• Position: Dr.; Chair Professor for International Business Law at the University of Zurich and Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong
• Pages: 120-130

2011

Rolf H. Weber

120

2

Abstract: Recently, political voices have

stressed the need to introduce a right to be forgot-

ten as new human right. Individuals should have the

right to make potentially damaging information dis-

appear after a certain time has elapsed. Such new

right, however, can come in conflict with the princi-

ple of free speech. Therefore, its scope needs to be

evaluated in the light of appropriate data protection

rules. Insofar, a more user-centered approach is to

be realized. “Delete” can not be a value as such, but

must be balanced within a new legal framework.

The Right to Be Forgotten

More Than a Pandora’s Box?

by Rolf H. Weber,*

Dr.; Chair Professor for International Business Law at the University of Zurich and Visiting Professor at the

University of Hong Kong

© 2011 Rolf. H. Weber

Everybody may disseminate this ar ticle by electr onic means and make it ava ilable for download under the terms a nd

conditions of the Digit al Peer Publishing Licence (DPPL). A copy of the license tex t may be obtained at http://nbn-resolving.

de/urn:nbn:de:00 09-dppl-v3-en8 .

Recommended citation: Rolf H. Web er, The Right to Be Forgotten: More Than a Pandora’s Box?, 2 (2011) JIPITEC 120, para. 1.

Keywords: Data protection; delete; free speech; privacy; privacy enhancing technologies; user-centered ap-

proach

A. Introduction

1

   















  











2

    

  

   

   



   









   

    

  

Delete: The Virtue of Forgetting in the Digital

Age  

   

  

    

 

    

















3 





   



to be forgotten

 to forget 

 



  



 