Study of protection of citizens’ privacy during Covid-19 period with ‎emphasis on data processing‏ ‏‎(Comparative study of U.S., China, ‎France, and Iran law)‎

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Private and Islamic Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, ‎Tehran, Iran‎

2 Department of Private Law, Department of Private and Islamic Law, Faculty of Law and Political ‎Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran‎

Abstract

Necessity of confrontation with coronavirus pandemic has moved governments toward taking a variety of actions in the field of defeating coronavirus (including data processing) which have influenced different aspects of life of citizens and caused many legal challenges in relation to the privacy of citizens in the time of corona outbreak. Comparative and descriptive-analytical method study of legal frameworks governing the right to privacy in the U.S., China, France, and Iran reveals that governments on the basis of special authorizations have taken actions during the pandemic which would be considered as violations to privacy in normal circumstances. French legal system has protected privacy in a centralized and transparent manner and based on accountability and responsibility which mostly is due to the existence of a controller entity. China law because of comprehensive legislations and regulations and citizens’ trust in legal and political systems faced few challenges. Iranian law despite the legal and jurisprudential foundations for the protection of privacy is faced with legislation lack and absence of a controller and accountable entity for data processing, and in U.S. law there have been serious legal challenges because of the dual nature of federal and state system and lack of a holistic approach toward the right to privacy and lack of a supervisor entity on data processing. Furthermore, courts have limited the scope of the government's authority in dealing with the coronavirus in relation to privacy matters. In China and France, the government's entry into the field of privacy has been more serious, with the difference that transparency and compliance with the principles of citizen's rights have been in a better state in France. On the other hand, in American law, the least invasion of privacy has been done. In Iran, the lack of clear laws and guidelines can cause privacy concerns.

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References

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Comparative Law Review
Volume 15, Issue 1
Espring & Summer
July 2024
Pages 93-119

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