Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BOOK REVIEW
THE RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN
2nd edition
By Paul Lambert
ISBN 978 1 52652 193 4
BLOOMSBURY PROFESSIONAL
bloomsburyprofessionallaw.com
AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPING JURISPRUDENCE ON TAKING DOWN HARMFUL INTERNET CONTENT
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
This is a very 21st century book from Bloomsbury Professional deals with this very 21st century issue of how internet content is handled. The author of the new second edition is Paul Lambert.
“The Right to be Forgotten” (RtbF) is one of the most publicised and controversial areas of the GDPR. Do begin the book by reading the Preface which says that the issue of RtbF, and its partial but necessary solution which “it presents to certain increasingly evident internet problems” is both “an important societal and legal issue”.
The so-called “right” has received massive worldwide publicity following judicial and legal developments throughout Europe. Individual data regulators have increased powers and importance in dealing with RtbF rights for individuals, and it is more important than ever for them to be up to date.
The Preface continues stating that “while strictly speaking the right to takedown and forgetting existed under the previous data protection regime… it is now more expressly evident under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)”. Indeed, Lambert concludes that “recent official hearings and proposals for new internet laws make it even more clear than at the time of the first edition that RtbF tools and solutions are required.”
The new, second edition, has been fully updated. It includes a useful description of the increasing importance of the role of RtbF in relation to media content (newspapers and television media in particular). Lambert writes that” without doubt there are problems evident on the internet which were not originally envisaged, especially in the original utilitarian vision.” That is, he says, “prior to the explosion of activities from the advent of the so-called Internet 2.0 onwards”.
We have moved from Internet 2.0 into Internet 3.0 and there is talk of an Internet 4.0. Lambert concludes that “unlike the original internet which, at its core, focused as a utilitarian communications medium largely between academics, vast amounts of different activities, both commercial and non-commercial, occur both on and via the internet.” He ends saying “even on the internet , a vast amount of activity is hidden” and that remains a big problem for all.
It also covers the evolving jurisprudence in terms of RtbF generally, especially considering an increased understanding of the GDPR RtbF and the landmark Google Spain RtbF case, the recent Google France case, and reviews the potential for group actions, class actions, and litigation funding, in relation to RtbF issues.
Lambert is also very practical with his approach writing that “for many lawyers, the very topic of personal data, data protection and privacy is new”. Herein lies a problem which is well explored for those interested as use of the internet continues to rise. The reason this book is so useful and needed by practitioners is Lambert’s view that “the same can unfortunately be said for many business and non-commercial organisations”. So do get the book and read it!
The date of publication of this new hardback second edition from Bloomsbury Professional is cited as 15th August 2022.
BOOK REVIEW
THE RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN
2nd edition
By Paul Lambert
ISBN 978 1 52652 193 4
BLOOMSBURY PROFESSIONAL
bloomsburyprofessionallaw.com
AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT ON THE DEVELOPING JURISPRUDENCE ON TAKING DOWN HARMFUL INTERNET CONTENT
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
This is a very 21st century book from Bloomsbury Professional deals with this very 21st century issue of how internet content is handled. The author of the new second edition is Paul Lambert.
“The Right to be Forgotten” (RtbF) is one of the most publicised and controversial areas of the GDPR. Do begin the book by reading the Preface which says that the issue of RtbF, and its partial but necessary solution which “it presents to certain increasingly evident internet problems” is both “an important societal and legal issue”.
The so-called “right” has received massive worldwide publicity following judicial and legal developments throughout Europe. Individual data regulators have increased powers and importance in dealing with RtbF rights for individuals, and it is more important than ever for them to be up to date.
The Preface continues stating that “while strictly speaking the right to takedown and forgetting existed under the previous data protection regime… it is now more expressly evident under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)”. Indeed, Lambert concludes that “recent official hearings and proposals for new internet laws make it even more clear than at the time of the first edition that RtbF tools and solutions are required.”
The new, second edition, has been fully updated. It includes a useful description of the increasing importance of the role of RtbF in relation to media content (newspapers and television media in particular). Lambert writes that” without doubt there are problems evident on the internet which were not originally envisaged, especially in the original utilitarian vision.” That is, he says, “prior to the explosion of activities from the advent of the so-called Internet 2.0 onwards”.
We have moved from Internet 2.0 into Internet 3.0 and there is talk of an Internet 4.0. Lambert concludes that “unlike the original internet which, at its core, focused as a utilitarian communications medium largely between academics, vast amounts of different activities, both commercial and non-commercial, occur both on and via the internet.” He ends saying “even on the internet , a vast amount of activity is hidden” and that remains a big problem for all.
It also covers the evolving jurisprudence in terms of RtbF generally, especially considering an increased understanding of the GDPR RtbF and the landmark Google Spain RtbF case, the recent Google France case, and reviews the potential for group actions, class actions, and litigation funding, in relation to RtbF issues.
Lambert is also very practical with his approach writing that “for many lawyers, the very topic of personal data, data protection and privacy is new”. Herein lies a problem which is well explored for those interested as use of the internet continues to rise. The reason this book is so useful and needed by practitioners is Lambert’s view that “the same can unfortunately be said for many business and non-commercial organisations”. So do get the book and read it!
The date of publication of this new hardback second edition from Bloomsbury Professional is cited as 15th August 2022.
