Published Online:April 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Law Review
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJLR060425
DOI:10.71329/IUPLR/2025.15.2.57-67
Author Name:R Bharat Kumar
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Law
Download Format:PDF
Pages:57-67
The digital age has ushered in profound changes in the way data is conceptualized and governed, creating a new social contract between individuals, corporations, and governments. This paper explores the evolution of the social contract in the context of data, drawing upon historical theories and contemporary practices. Through an examination of issues related to data privacy, ethical governance, economic implications, and global perspectives, the paper posits that data represents a valuable asset in modern society, akin to a new form of currency. The analysis highlights the risks of exploitation and inequality, emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks that empower individuals while ensuring collective welfare. Ultimately, this paper argues for a redefined social contract where data governance aligns with principles of fairness, transparency, and individual agency, serving as a foundation for equitable digital societies.
In the last few years, social contract theory, particularly with regard to the responsibilities accompanying it, has changed greatly due to the advancements in technology and data. Social contracts, as proposed by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, focused primarily on social rights and responsibilities, including the rights of individual citizens and the government’s power over them.