RIGHT TO PRIVACY ON THE INTERNET IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTEXT

Abstract

This research study has been conducted with a deliberate synthesis of both theoretical and practical components. This approach is grounded in the observation that research studies often tend to adopt either a purely theoretical or an exclusively practical and applied orientation. The author’s objective was to systematize theoretical and analytical insights concerning the right to privacy on the Internet within the context of social media functionality. This was achieved through a comprehensive examination that combined theoretical underpinnings with an analysis of real-world court cases. Commencing this research endeavor, an exhaustive analysis of the definitions associated with the concept of “social media” was undertaken. The intricate relationship between “social media” and “social networks” was scrutinized and elucidated. Subsequently, the author delved into the multifaceted issue of privacy and its evolving nature in the backdrop of the digitization process. The author provided a historical panorama, tracing the inception of the concept of privacy, charting its developmental trajectory, and elucidating its normative establishment at both the international and national levels. In recognition of the non-absolute character of the right to privacy, this research delineated the permissible boundaries within which state intervention may be exercised in the exercise of this right. In light of the comprehensive analysis conducted, practical instances were identified and examined, vividly illustrating the extent to which the necessary privacy safeguards are adhered to in the digital domain. An exploration of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights about this matter facilitated the observation of the intricate interplay between the right to privacy and other rights, such as the right to access the Internet, the right to access information, and the right to the preservation of honor and dignity. This exploration accentuated both the significance and complexity of achieving a delicate equilibrium in upholding these rights by their respective claimants. In any scenario, it is underscored by the author that states, law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, as well as individuals and legal entities, are obligated to exert concerted efforts toward aligning the online environment with the standards set forth by human rights conventions.