Advanced Introduction to U.S. Data Privacy Law

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This timely Advanced Introduction traces the evolution of consumer data privacy laws in the US through a historical lens, and then sets out the current state of play. Waldman describes how privacy laws benefit corporate interests, and highlights the deficiencies of the present approach to the surveillance economy. In looking to the future, the author advocates a radical new way of thinking about the goals and tools of privacy law and provides a roadmap for avoiding privacy nihilism by rejuvenating public governance and protecting privacy in the digital age.



Key Features:







Concise and accessible approach to a fast-changing area


Novel conceptualisation of first, second, and third waves of privacy law


In-depth critique of current and historic privacy law, challenging traditional literature


Focuses on practical ways to address.
– deficiencies of current laws



The Advanced Introduction to U.S. Data Privacy Law will be an invaluable resource for students and scholars of privacy, as well as those in information, media and technology law. It will also be an essential guide for policy-makers and privacy lawyers seeking to understand the past, present, and future of data privacy.