Author:

Keywords:

social networks, data protection

Abstract:

One of the most significant developments in the online environment over the last few years has been the rise of social media. More and more individuals are making use of Online Social Networks (OSNs) to stay in touch with family and friends, to engage in professional networking or to connect around shared interests and ideas. But users are not the only ones who are interested in OSNs. OSNs have come to attract a wide range of actors, which include application developers, web trackers, third-party websites, data brokers and other observers. As the number of actors engaging with OSNs and OSN data increases, so does the risk for potential privacy infringements. One way to minimize this risk is to clearly define the rights and obligations of each actor. The objective of this deliverable is to analyze how the current data protection framework relates to the context of OSNs. To this end, we will begin by describing the various actors engaging with OSNs and the interactions between them. Next, we will identify the legal status of each of the actors in order to map their rights and obligations. Once this analysis has been completed, we will critically evaluate the relationship between the existing legal framework and the context of online social networking.