Comments of Adam D. Thierer (Mercatus Center at George Mason University) to the Federal Trade Commission in its proceeding on “the consumer privacy and security issues" associated with the “Internet of Things.” The filing argues that the Internet of Things -- like the Internet itself --...

This article analyses, defines, and refines the concepts of ownership and personal data. It critically examines the traditional dividing line between personal and non-personal data and argues for a strict conceptual separation of personal data from personal information. The article also...

As businesses and other entities have sought to collect more personal data on individuals, the public has pushed back, and lawmakers throughout the United States and elsewhere have responded by passing data protection laws. Recent data protection laws passed by the European Union and by several...

Trust is a key requirement for all electronic information and transactions, and information security is the means used establish a level of trust appropriate to the situation. Through the implementation of appropriate information security measures, businesses seek to ensure a reasonable level of...

This article is part of a Wisconsin Law Review symposium in honor of the work of Neil Komesar, and particularly his book “Imperfect Alternatives: Choosing Institutions in Law, Economics, and Public Policy.” I used this as the main text in 2003 for one of the first law school courses on...

The use of Internet of Things devices (IoT) by individuals in their homes has led to new opportunities for companies, to adapt their products, services and offers, based on the user profile. At the same time, these new services involve the reinterpretation of existing requirements regarding data...