Personal Data Protection in the Internet

Along with the other cardinal changes in the life of society, in the last decades an active process of informatization has begun. In these conditions, a lot of technical tools allow to collect and process significant volumes of people personal data. For this reason, the concept of personal data protection on the Internet takes on special importance. The purpose of this study is to analyze the legal regulation of the protection of personal data on the Internet in the Russian Federation, the EU, and at the level of the Council of Europe. Based on the analysis, the task is set to develop conclusions and recommendations on improving the legal regulation of this institution in Russian legislation. Particular attention is paid to the protection of personal data in the processing of Big Data. The absence of regulation of this activity may entail a violation of the citizens’ inviolability of the private life. Another subject of the study is the legal status of the subjects involved in the relationship concerning personal data. The research advocates the position that the system for the protection of personal data on the Internet requires changes that are adequate to technological development. A successful example is the development of the law of the European Union. The general conclusion of the study is the importance of gradual improvement of legislation on personal data, taking into account international experience. In the future, there may be a need for a complete rethinking of the system for the protection of personal data on the Internet.