Study on the Protection and Rational Utilization of Personal Information in the Digital Era

Since the advent of the digital age, personal information has been collected and aggregated, evolving into a new type of asset through innovative data technologies, which has generated significant economic benefits in circulation. At the same time, the traditional approach to personal information protection, which primarily focuses on privacy, is no longer sufficient for the demands of the digital era and does not facilitate the realization of the social value of personal information. How can these interests be appropriately balanced in law, and how can the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant parties be protected? To address these issues, the Personal Information Protection Act was introduced. However, the implementation of this law still faces challenges related to conceptual definitions, self-determination, and the protection and utilization system. Therefore, this article will consider the Personal Information Protection Law and international legislative practices to clarify the legal attributes of personal information, define the concept, and outline the rights of the information subjects, as well as the duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of information processors. It aims to answer these questions from the perspective of integrating sectoral laws and safeguard mechanisms. The article also explores the balance between individual and societal interests, promoting the protection and rational use of personal information in the digital age.