Internet Law, Regulation, Policy and Ethics

Module code: LAW6472

Credits: 15.0
Semester: SEM2

Contact: To Be Confirmed

Internet law in the UK includes any legal issue which is related to the internet. This thought-provoking module will ask students to think about whether the internet should be controlled. Any activity that is carried out over the internet can engage different areas of the law but whose responsibility is it to regulate the content that is put on the internet? Should it be regulated at all? The Internet Law and Regulation module focuses on policies, ethics and regulation of the internet as well emerging frameworks that respond to how the internet is being utilised.

This module will explore regulatory policy issues including:

Suggested Content

Week 1
Introductory seminar on what is the internet, can it be regulated, and who regulates it (question of jurisdiction), challenges of digitalisation.
Week 2
Role of Intermediaries and Platforms (google, amazon, social media etc) in the digital environment - broader questions of how these platforms influence our daily lives and how can big tech' be regulated. Reviewing aspects of the Online Safety Act.
Week 3
Tackling Fake News and Misinformation - Interactive session adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-based scenarios.
Week 4
Children and the Internet - the implications of digitalisation on Child Rights - How to protect children online? Does the Online Safety Act go far enough?
Week 5 and 6
Protecting Data and Privacy; what are the instruments that protect personal data.
Consider State surveillance and its impact on data privacy.
Week 7
Study week
Week 8 and 9
Challenges posed by AI:
* Algorithmic Decision-Making and Machine Learning
* The rise of Generative AI (ChatGPT)
* Interactive session
Week 10 and 11
Access to the Internet and ethical issues
- Access to the internet - We look at the social aspects of accessibility and use of the internet asking questions such as to whether more needs to be done to ensure that the internet is available to all regardless of their socio-economic position. We will also look at the benefits and perils, of removing and placing some barriers to communication on a global scale.
- Artificial intelligence - help or a hindrance?
Week 12 - Assessment and Revision Preparation

Connected course(s): UDF DATA
Assessment: 100.0% Coursework
Level: 6