Introduction

PRIVACY PROTECTION has become an increasingly complex and controversial issue, fuelling academic and policy discussions, particularly in relation to new technological advancements. On one hand, there are concerns arising from new technologies becoming the “Big Brother” who is “watching you,” to borrow George Orwell’s iconic phrase from his dystopian novel 1984 — a true panopticon, a modern system of power infringing upon individual liberty, autonomy, and dignity. Concerns also arise from the blurring of boundaries between work life and private life, a phenomenon closely associated with these technologies, which encroach on individuals’ private spheres. On the other hand, some argue that in the internet age, privacy as a right is no longer justified — or at least has become too powerful — claiming that privacy experts should not set policy that extends beyond their expertise into broader domains of technology regulation (Goldman, 2023), thereby limiting the potential of these technologies to do good.