Internet law, sometimes called cyberlaw, covers the legal issues that arise from online activity and digital technology. Rather than being a single traditional field, it draws together many areas of law as they apply to websites, apps, online services, e-commerce, social media, and the broader digital environment.
Common subjects include online contracts and terms of service; privacy and the collection, use, and protection of personal data; data security and the consequences of breaches; intellectual property online, such as content, trademarks, and software; the responsibilities and protections of online platforms for material posted by users; e-commerce and online advertising; defamation and harmful content; and the legal questions raised by newer technologies. Internet law also has a strong cross-border dimension, since online activity easily reaches users in many jurisdictions.
For a non-lawyer, several points are useful. Activity that feels informal online can still carry real legal consequences. Privacy and data protection are governed by an evolving and sometimes overlapping set of rules. Because users and businesses may be located in different places, more than one jurisdiction's laws can apply. The law in this area continues to develop as technology changes.
People and businesses commonly consult lawyers in this field when launching an online product or service, drafting terms and privacy policies, handling data and security obligations, addressing harmful or infringing content, or responding to a dispute arising from online activity.
