LFU:online

• Students are aware of critical success factors in digital business.

• They know selected legal rules that have to be respected when digital technology is developed or used.

• Students know their way around the ethical issues and are able to think sensitively and critically about them.

• Students are able to connect legal, ethical and economic aspects of digitalization and to discuss them from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

This class consists of the following three main topic which will be discussed from a legal, ethical and economic perspective:

Part 1: Data and Privacy

How can companies use data as a strategic asset?

In what ways does companies’ strategic use of data undermine privacy? Does privacy still have value in our digital age?

Which requirements does the use of personal data have to fulfil to respect the General Data Protection Regulation?

Part 2: Digital Platforms

What are the features of platform business models?

How can digital platforms contribute to the spread of fake news and propaganda? Which responsibilities do they have to regulate online speech?

How does EU law regulate the spread of illegal and harmful content on digital platforms?

Part 3: Algorithmic Decisions

How to include algorithms in companies’ decision making process?

Is it ethical for algorithms to make decisions that impact people’s lives?

What does the legal prohibition of solely automated decision-making entail?

Short lectures, group work, discussions.

Oral presentation and written essays.

Will be made available on OLAT.

No previous knowledge of economics, philosophy or law required for this course.

The acceptance is based on prioritised randomisation. Active students of Complementary Subject Area Digital Science get precedence.