Information Technology and the Rise of Data Protection Law
Mainframes in the 1960s spurred privacy fears (Orwell's '1984'). In 1970, Hesse, Germany enacted the first modern data protection law; the same year the U.S. passed the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), its first national privacy law.
How this supports CIPP/US study
Use this lesson to identify the legal source, actor, data and activity before applying a rule to a scenario. Continue with the CIPP/US exam format and blueprint.
Mainframe computers emerged in the 1960s, enabling unprecedented accumulation of personal data and surveillance fears - vividly captured by George Orwell's 1949 novel 1984 ('Big Brother is watching you').
In 1970, the German state of Hesse enacted the first known modern data protection law, motivated partly by abuses under the Third Reich. The same year, the United States passed its first national privacy law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), focused solely on consumer credit information.
Hesse, Germany passed the world's first modern data protection law in 1970; the FCRA was the first U.S. national privacy law, also in 1970 - and it is sectoral, covering only consumer credit.
Key terms - quick answers
What is “Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)”?
What is “Hesse data protection law (1970)”?
Sources and study method
This independent lesson uses active recall, spaced retrieval and scenario practice. Read the full study method.