Privacy and Big Data

Prof. Tal Zarsky

This course examines the legal and social implications of the rise of Big Data and its impact on privacy. Students will explore how the collection and processing of vast datasets, including personal data, can generate societal value while raising complex legal dilemmas.

The course begins with a theoretical foundation and a comparative analysis of privacy regimes in the EU, the U.S., and Israel. Emphasis will be placed on the GDPR and Israeli privacy law, reflecting their influence on global regulatory trends.

Topics include data anonymization, algorithmic processing, automated decision-making (including AI), and the intersection of privacy with competition, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and innovation law. The course also addresses state and commercial uses of data, as well as public resistance to surveillance and data-driven practices.

Semester B (Spring Semester)