The Privacy Fallacy

‘To protect privacy in the digital age, Ignacio Cofone argues, we must rethink privacy harms. These harms are social and systemic as well as individual, and they will not be remedied by market and contractual approaches. This beautifully written book is an excellent introduction to problems of digital exploitation that affect everyone.’ Jack Balkin, Yale Law School

‘Why are privacy rules failing us when we need them the most? In this superb book, Ignacio Cofone expertly threads together privacy law’s many missteps and proposes a way forward that doesn’t rest on myths and misconceptions. The Privacy Fallacy clearly and effectively stakes out an essential turning point for lawmakers and society: We either commit to holding companies liable for the full range of harms they cause, or we continue to indulge in the fantasy that privacy can be individually negotiated and that our laws have it under control.’ Woodrow Hartzog, Boston University

‘With the rigor of an economist and the heart of a humanist, Cofone explores why privacy law has been disappointingly powerless in today’s data-driven society. He proposes a new understanding of privacy harm to ground a more effective liability regime. A clear and engaging read for experts and interested laypeople alike!’ Katherine J. Strandburg, New York University School of Law

‘This is a beautifully written book that deftly describes incidents to illustrate sophisticated economic and legal arguments. It is accessible to a wide general audience, an important scholarly critique of current law and policy, and a detailed and powerful proposal for remedies that can enhance lives by effectively defending privacy rights. This book is appropriate for all libraries. … Highly recommended.’ D. Bantz, Choice

‘… beautiful and accessible … Cofone’s book gets real about the problems while offering real solutions - if we have the courage to implement them.’ Scott Skinner-Thompson, The Journal of Things We Like