1. Remembering and Forgetting in the Digital Age – A Position Paper
Right to be forgotten versus right to remember Brussels, 10 October 2016
Prof. Dr. Florent Thouvenin Center for Information Technology, Society, and Law (ITSL) Chair for Information and Communication Law, University of Zurich

2. Introduction Remembering and Forgetting in the Digital Age
a fundamental topic for the future of the information society
and: an interdisciplinary research project
Research structure
analysis of legal order to identify existing normative concepts
first interdisciplinary workshop
analytical papers to identify potential needs for adjustments
second interdisciplinary workshop
Florent Thouvenin

3. Background Default switch in technology and society
exponentially increasing amount of data
exponentially decreasing storage costs
storing, not deleting as new default
Reaction of the law
deletion as new default (Delete, Mayer-Schönberger, 2009)
right to be forgotten (ECJ, C-131/123 – Mario Costeja Gonzalez)
data minimisation principle (Draft General Data Protection Regulation)
Florent Thouvenin

4. Guiding Principles Precautionary approach
complex problem and unpredictable future
future development of information technology
potential future uses of data
as a consequence: no irreversible decisions → sustainability
Hierarchy of concepts
deletion as ultimate solution
alternative mechanisms such as access restrictions and use restrictions
Process, not rules
Florent Thouvenin

5. Framework Alternative Mechanisms Criteria Access restrictions
Use restrictions
Transfer of data
Relevance of information
Impact of information
Redundancy of information
Efficacy of deletion
Florent Thouvenin