Finck on the tensions between Blockchain values and the GDPR principles

19. November 2019, von Internetredaktion

Foto: LFT

Last Tuesday, November 19, Dr Michèle Finck gave an inspiring lecture on possible emerging conflicts between the operation of blockchain systems and the EU legal framework for data protection. Dr Finck explored how the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and, in particular, the principle of Data Minimization (Art. 5), the Right of Rectification (Art. 16), and the Right to Be Forgotten (Art. 17) might conflict with the data governance structure and functioning of blockchains.

These standards seem to be difficult to reconcile with a technology that has the potential to accumulate more and more information, to store it in distributed ledgers, and to be resilient over time. In this context, other fundamental issues are related to the accountability of blockchains' participants, e.g. how to distinguish the different legal responsibilities of data users in these environments. Should you want to know more about the topic, please find Dr Flinck's presentation by following this link and check her website.