Privacy in emergency circumstances: data protection and the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The way we conceive our privacy and the importance which we attach to the protection of our personal data has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By first providing legal insights on the general discussion about the balance between the fundamental right to privacy and the general public interest, this article describes the most critical and controversial processing operations employed by states to contain the pandemic and mitigate its effects. A focus on the increase in cybercrime during the pandemic then provides insights on the relevant risks and remedies for the security of personal data.