Editorial: Time to Move Forward on International ICT Law

Abstract

Anyone studying the comparatively short history of the discipline we may refer to as information and communications technology (ICT) law will notice several trends. One such trend is that, where a new topic starts gaining attention, that attention is typically directed at the domestic context. For example, it is only relatively recently that the international dimensions of data privacy law have started to gain widespread attention, and areas such as cyber security are still mainly approached from a domestic perspective. This is not to deny that there, already early on, is an awareness of the international dimensions. All I am suggesting here is that those international dimensions only gain widespread attention once the domestic perspective has been pursued. And maybe this is both natural and desirable. However, what is striking is the extent to which attention is now being directed at the international dimensions of various topics falling within the umbrella term of ICT law. In fact, I think we are now in a “golden era” for anyone who has an interest in the cross-section of ICT law and international law – be it public, or private, international law (to the extent that distinction still is valid). In light of this, this special issue of the Masaryk University’s flagship journal – the Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology (MUJLT) – is definitely timely. And given the high quality of the contributions, and the interesting topics they address, I have no doubt that this issue will help progress the law on several vitally important topics. Because the time