PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, PRIVACY RIGHTS, AND CROSS-BORDER DATA FLOWS

Abstract

The digital economy depends on the collection, storage, transfer, and analysis of personal data. While these processes support innovation, convenience, and global connectivity, they also create serious risks for privacy, autonomy, and security. This thesis examines the international legal standards governing personal data protection and evaluates their effectiveness in the context of cross-border data flows. It analyzes privacy as a fundamental human right, compares major regulatory approaches, and discusses the tension between data protection, technological innovation, and international commerce. The thesis argues that effective data governance requires harmonized standards, stronger accountability, and a rights-based approach to digital regulation.