This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, the European Court of Justice made a landmark decision that has significant implications for internet regulation. In a ruling that restricts the reach of the 'right to be forgotten' online privacy law, the court determined that this rule cannot be applied outside the European Union.
The decision was made in response to a case brought by French authorities, who sought to force Google and other search engines to remove links to users globally. However, the court ruled that the privacy rule cannot be imposed on countries that do not recognize the law.
The 'right to be forgotten' is a centerpiece of the European Union's internet privacy laws, established in 2014. It allows individuals to request the removal of links to websites, news articles, and databases that include personal information considered old, no longer relevant, or not in the public interest.
Google praised the decision, stating that it strikes a sensible balance between people's rights of access to information and privacy. The court's ruling is likely to head off international disputes over the reach of European laws outside the 28-nation bloc.
According to the court, the balance between the right to privacy and the freedom of information of internet users is likely to vary significantly around the world. The court also emphasized that the right to be forgotten is not an absolute right.
