Efficiencies and Regulatory Shortcuts: How Should We Regulate Companies like Airbnb and Uber?

We explore the regulation of new software platforms that connect consumers with informal service providers for transportation, short-term rentals, and more. These platforms tend to be in tension with existing regulatory frameworks which typically require licensing, certification, and insurance. In one view, some of these requirements are outdated or protectionist, benefiting incumbents more than consumers. Others counter that the rules embody important values and protect both customers and the public at large. We explore these disagreements with an eye for how the regulatory framework might allow the key efficiencies these platforms provide, while assuring protection for customers and avoiding harm to noncustomers

Legal Education in the Blockchain Revolution

The legal profession is one of the most disrupted sectors of the consulting industry today. The rise of Legal Technology, artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, and, most importantly, blockchain technology is changing the practice of law. The sharing economy and platform companies challenge many of the traditional assumptions, doctrines, and concepts of law and governance--requiring litigators, judges, and regulators to adapt. Lawyers need to be equipped with the necessary skill sets to operate effectively in the new world of disruptive innovation in law. A more creative and innovative approach to educating lawyers for the twenty-first century is needed

Privacy for the Homo Digitalis: Proposal for a New Regulatory Framework for Data Protection in the Light of Big Data and the Internet of Things

The authors analyze innovations in data processing as a result of developments such as 'big data' and the 'Internet of Things' and discuss why these developments undermine the effectiveness and legitimacy of the current as well as upcoming EU data protection regime, thereby focusing on the private sector. The authors undertake a detailed analysis of key data processing principles used in the European data protection regime (purpose limitation, informational self-determination and data quality) and argue that due to social trends and technological developments the principle of purpose limitation should be abandoned as a separate criterion. Also, other principles (such as consent and the performance of an agreement) should no longer be recognised as independent legal grounds to legitimize data processing. The authors propose, instead, a test based on whether there is a legitimate interest for data collection and processing (as well as further processing) of data. The authors argue that such a test will provide for a more effective data protection regime that will have more legitimacy than the assessment under the existing legal regime that is primarily based on the purposes for which data may be collected and further used. Based on their analysis, the authors develop a framework to be used by companies as the principal (and only) test for the whole life cycle of personal data processing (collection, use, further use and destruction of data). This test has been drafted in such a way that it enables companies to comply with the new requirements under the upcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation, that will become effective in 2018. The authors conclude their analysis with proposals to increase the (effectiveness of) enforcement of the data protection rule