The Internet and the Global Reach of EU Law

Abstract

The internet has had a significant influence on how EU law applies beyond EU borders, and has enabled the EU to extend the application of its fundamental values to third countries. There are many examples of the EU exerting its global reach regarding the internet, particularly in data protection and privacy law. The EU’s actions in exercising its global reach with regard to the internet implicate important normative issues, such as distinguishing between the furtherance of core EU legal values and the advancement of the EU’s political interests; promoting the principles of EU law as universal values; ensuring that EU legal values are upheld in practice; and determining the territorial boundaries of EU law. The influence exercised by the EU carries responsibilities towards third countries, particularly those in the developing world. The internet may itself also be influencing EU law.