Digital networks as a techno-legal problem

Abstract

The increasing influence of digital networks in all areas of life also means that they change societal values and react to changes in preferences. In his lecture, Herbert Zech discusses how social networks influence the regulatory goals underlying the law. The degree of connection is an important characteristic of particular areas of societal development. Digital networks can be interpreted as technological innovations that are then addressed by the typical technical-legal regulatory tasks. Apart from advancing innovation and enabling technology transfer, this includes limiting and allocating risk. The classic technical-legal model of risk regulation, however, has its limits. The perspective of regulation is not uncontroversial and is challenged by the complexity of potential external effects. An example is the continuously re-negotiated conception of privacy.