As modern economic and political establishments are highly dependent on the Internet, its safety is inevitably a critical topic of discussion. Various online applications used daily by users worldwide combine into concepts of cyberspace. In this way, regulating cyberspace includes protecting speech and personal information from government surveillance (Weitzner, 2018). On the other hand, legal government-based measures create a foundation for protecting user rights. Legal regulation plays an essential role in guiding both national authorities and Internet users in determining the limit to their rights (Avdeev et al., 2019). Considering the significant number of people related to the various forms of cyberspace, its regulation is a demanding process. Still, one cannot disregard the importance of having a stable system controlling the relocations of personal data across the Internet. Therefore, cyberspace regulations are necessary to ensure a secure data storage and transfer method.
Legal regulation is involved to protect web users’ information from being stolen or traded. This type of regulation provides cyberspace security starting from the regional level (Avdeev et al., 2019). Hence, at this level, certain measures are taken to protect the foundations of the legislative system and basic human rights concerning the country’s population (Avdeev et al., 2019). From this perspective, each government protects its population’s user rights according to set legislation. Regarding international relations, the European Convention on Cybercrime provides a general framework for issues concerning international data exchange (Avdeev et al., 2019). This framework allows several governments to control information transfer between their residents for economic trade and political purposes. Through cyberspace regulation on an international level, many companies can improve their networking and avoid breaking any laws. Furthermore, legal protection guarantees profound security against cyber attacks, violations, and the general use of personal data without consent (Avdeev et al., 2019). The consequences of breaking set laws regarding cyberspace security include criminal offense records, a measure taken to threaten cyber violators.
Moreover, cyberspace regulation is essential due to its determining role in the economic value of the Internet. Most modern businesses and financial institutions rely on Internet users’ ability to share personal information to some extent. The shared information serves as the necessary resource for companies to sell their products. On the other hand, the customers’ rights must also be protected, preventing their data from being utilized for advertising purposes without consent.
According to Weitzner (2018), several elements must be incorporated into policies worldwide to ensure Internet security. Such elements include freedom of speech, rights limitations, government surveillance control, and privacy protection (Weitzner, 2018). Common cyberspace platforms can benefit from their users’ interest through adherence to these principles while corporations and companies benefit financially. On the other hand, the customers’ rights are not being violated through illegal data use.
In cases of cyberspace regulation, government surveillance must be acknowledged as one of the primary factors to consider. As legal policing is conducted by government officials, an objective counter procedure is critical to prevent unauthorized data usage from the government. The European Convention on Human Rights generally moderates procedures requiring citizens’ personal information, with exceptions for criminal offenses excluding consent as a requirement (Weitzner, 2018). Therefore, a country’s legislative system must acknowledge data usage policies concerning the users’ rights.
Additionally, a review of the beneficial aspects of cyberspace emphasizes the importance of protecting it and its users. As noted by Weitzner (2018), the Internet economy is based on the impact of popular organizations on smaller business corporations, as well as its significant contribution to the national market profit (Weitzner, 2018). Hence, improvement of the Internet security system is necessary for the further development of the economy. Legal involvement, in this case, regulates the breaching of customers’ rights while also allowing corporations to grow economically.
Cyberspace organizations must provide an open and safe space for freedom of speech while also protecting their users from hate speech, a process that must be regulated accordingly. Instances of cyber-attacks and cyber-terrorism emphasize the urgency to control information exchange through legal action. Although several laws attempt to regulate terrorism at both regional and international levels, recent research highlights faults with such attempts (Kadir et al., 2019). Therefore, improving the security of Internet-based platforms remains a relevant issue.
In conclusion, regulating cyberspace is a critical procedure for supporting basic human rights and economic growth. The discussed research demonstrated the key aspects of personal data processing, and how legal policies control them. Furthermore, the idea of government surveillance as a limiting factor to data use has been noted, at regional and international levels. To benefit both customers and companies in a country’s economy, information should only b shared with the consent of the customer while allowing the companies to profit from the provided information. Unfortunately, as cyber-attacks and cyber-terrorism remain influential issues, their prevention methods should be discussed further. Hence, cyberspaces provide opportunities for various categories of users, yet respective authorities must monitor their activity. A suggestion for future research focuses on developing specific methods for the reduction of cyber terrorism attacks, presumably on an international level.
References
Avdeev, V. A., Avdeeva, O. A., Shagieva, R. V., Smirnova, V. V., Mashkin, N. A., & Taradonov, S. V. (2019). The mechanism of legal regulation in the conditions of globalization and formation of information environment. Regional aspect. Journal of Environmental Management & Tourism, 10(7), 1517-1521. Web.
Kadir, Khaeriah, N., Judhariksawan, J. & Maskun, M. (2019). “Terrorism and cyberspace: A phenomenon of cyber-terrorism as transnational crimes”. Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 13 (4):333-44. Web.
Weitzner, D. J. (2018). Promoting economic prosperity in cyberspace. Ethics & International Affairs, 32(4), 425–439. Web.