The ‘Right to Be Forgotten’: How best to balance privacy and freedom of expression?

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The Centre 2nd Floor The Centre, 2nd Floor The Centre, 2nd Floor

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The Centre and the Center for Democracy & Technology invite you to a panel debate on the balance between privacy and freedom of expression.

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling in May in a case involving Google and the Spanish Data Protection Authority sparked once again a strong discussion around the ‘Right to Be Forgotten’. Academics, legal experts, privacy advocates and journalists in Europe and beyond have vigorously debated the ruling and not least the way search engines go about implementing it.  Meanwhile, data protection officials are reportedly working on common guidelines on how to interpret the CJEU ruling. It is also being discussed by policy makers who are working on the proposed Data Protection Regulation.

However, despite appearances, the ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ is not only about internet search. Its implications are much broader: it involves many more types of companies, internet platforms and content publishers, and may give Europeans the right to request removal, not only delisting, of a broader range of publicly available information.

The ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ would therefore have great implications for two fundamental rights: the right to privacy and the right to free expression. Both are essential. It is therefore crucial to find the right balance. How will be the object of this debate.

Expert panel:

  • Justin Brookman, Consumer Privacy Director, Center for Democracy and Technology
  • Jodie Ginsberg, Chief Executive Officer, Index on Censorship
  • Dr. Christopher Kuner, Vrije Universiteit Brussels
  • Moderation by Martin Porter, General Manager at Edelman Brussels.

The event will take place between 6:30PM – 8:00PM and will be followed by a networking reception.