Abstract

     The information age set off a revolution for organizations and institutions without precedent. Big production of data is a major competitive advantage for companies. Therefore, there are great economic incentives to monetize such data. However, there is evidence that indicates clear vulnerability in terms of user privacy, thereby setting a new paradigm in the search for a balance between privacy and security. This article offers a brief history of privacy to this day, deepens the scope and importance of its standardization in the regulation and future of digital markets.

The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age

     On December 18, 2013, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved the resolution entitled “The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age” for all people (United Nations 2017). This resolution establishes that indiscriminate global surveillance implies a serious violation of human rights and seeks to reaffirm the fundamental principles adopted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 (United Nations General Assembly 1948, article 12), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Joseph and Castan 2013, article 17), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Saul, Kinley, and Mowbray 2014). In particular, this resolution makes it clear that “unlawful or arbitrary surveillance and/or interception of communications, as well as the unlawful or arbitrary collection of personal data, as highly intrusive acts, violate the right to privacy, can interfere with other human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and may contradict the tenets of a democratic society.”

Conclusion

     The digital economy plays a fundamental role in the world economy and has been the subject of study by many academics and non-academics for some years. Its real impact on the growth of countries, although it could be incompletely and/or imprecisely measured, points to its growing importance as an engine of economic growth in the upcoming years. However, as it grows in importance, it also faces numerous threats that put its sustainability and functioning at risk, such as digital piracy, violation, and leakage of private data and cybersecurity.

     These threats, which in many cases affect the personal data of millions of users, require some regulation and protection that can establish operating guarantees in the future. Privacy seems to be a moving target and requires an international effort in order to set a common regulation that can enable economic development. Standardization turns out to be crucial and requires an ongoing commitment above any political or eventual issue.