Data Privacy

This course explores the technological, theoretical, and policy foundations of protecting personal information in the digital age. Students will examine the principles of data privacy and anonymity, including encryption, differential privacy, and data minimization, to understand how information is secured and shared across digital systems. The course analyzes U.S. and global legal and regulatory frameworks—such as the GDPR, CCPA, and emerging international standards—that govern data collection, use, and protection.

Special attention is given to recent developments in advertising technology (adtech), biometric and genetic data protection, and the growing tension between innovation, surveillance, and individual rights. Through case studies and policy analysis, students will develop the tools to evaluate and design privacy strategies that balance technological advancement, ethical responsibility, and regulatory compliance in a rapidly evolving data ecosystem.