Announcements
Online Sessions Link
To connect to the online sessions of this module, except for the first session, please click on this link . You will be asked to register your attendance if you are not already signed in into your Zoom account. You will also be asked for the password, which is below.
Meeting ID: 879 9251 3346
Passcode: 646014
Make sure that you show with your name & surname as you have been registered for the study programme. This is very important for attendance purposes.
Lecture Schedule & Notes
Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.
| Lecture | Date | Time | Presentation | Notes (If Any) | Session Recording |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture 01 | 11 April 2024 | 17:30 to 20:30hrs | Presentation 01 | Request | |
| Lecture 02 | 18 April 2024 | 17:30 to 20:30hrs | Presentation 02 | Request | |
| Lecture 03 | 25 April 2024 | 17:30 to 20:30hrs | Presentation 03 | Request | |
| Lecture 04 | 02 May 2024 | 17:30 to 20:30hrs | Presentation 04 | Virtual Financial Assets Act (Cap 590) Virtual Financial Assets Regulations (S.L.590.01) Virtual Financial Assets Rules for VFA Service Providers MFSA Guidance VFA Rulebook FAQs Sources on how virtual financial assets function in practice. NB any references to legislation within the sources below do not refer to Maltese law – these sources are meant to be used solely for the purpose of understanding what virtual financial assets are and how they function, and not as any form of guidance regarding Maltese law on the subject. Virtual Assets - FATF A Beginner’s Guide to Cryptocurrencies Forbes: Guide To Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges Whatis.com: Virtual Asset Ciphertrace: What are Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers, and why do we need to know about the Financial Action Task Force? | Request |
| Lecture 05 | 09 May 2024 | 17:30 to 20:30hrs | Presentation 05 | Request | |
| Lecture 06 | 16 May 2024 | 17:30 to 20:00hrs | Presentation 06 | Request | |
| Lecture 07 | 23 May 2024 | 17:30 to 20:00hrs | Presentation 07 | Request |
Lecturer/s
Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading
Lecture 1 - Introduction to IT and Data Protection Law - Dr Alexia Valenzia
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- Introduction to digitisation
- The legal challenges of the information society
- Digitisation and the law
- Introduction to ICT law
- Net Neutrality
- Regulating the Information Society Service
- Ethical Concerns
- Social Issues
- Brief overview of topics to be discussed in this module:
- Cybercrime & Computer Misuse
- Smart Contracts
- AI
- Intellectual Property
- E-Commerce
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 2 - The implications of IT Law on legal processes (I) - Dr Alexia Valenzia
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- The role of local and inter-state IT crime authorities;
- The application of IT in jurisprudence;
- Understanding the concept of cybercrime and the Criminal Code such as provisions on computer misuse.
- Compare the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime with the Malta Cybercrime System.
- Apply substantive cybercrime provisions to a case describing a (potential) cybercriminal activity.
- Apply procedural cybercrime provisions to a case describing a cyber-investigation.
- Argue how specific types of cybercrime can be combatted.
- Discuss the legal aspects of cybercrime.
- Discuss a case study involving cybercrime.
- Identify substantial issues together with any remedial measures that may apply in the fields.
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 3 - The implications of IT Law on legal processes (II) - Dr Alexia Valenzia
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- Lex specialis:
- VFA framework/MiCA
- Proposed AI EU Regulation
- Intellectual property rights
- Copyright
- Patent and patentability issues with software
- Domain names
- Trademarks
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 4 - E-Commerce - Dr Alexia Valenzia
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- Electronic contracts
- The role of smart contracts
- Electronic payments such as PSD II and EMD II
- Consumer protection – distance and online selling;
- Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects concerning contracts for the online and other distance sales of goods.
- Directive 2019/770 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2019 on certain aspects concerning contracts for the supply of digital content and digital services (Digital Content Directive);
- Salient considerations under the Digital Services Act Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act)
- The implications of the Digital Markets Act REGULATION (EU) 2022/1925 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2022 on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector and amending Directives (EU) 2019/1937 and (EU) 2020/1828
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 5 - An Introduction to Data Protection Legislation & Freedom of Information - Dr Veronica Campbell
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- The concept, nature of and necessity for data privacy and the need to protect it through legislation;
- Grasp the basic concept of the need for privacy and the rights related thereto, especially in the context of the digital age;
- Application of Freedom of Information Act (Cap 496)
- Illegal content liability and freedom of expression (Criminal Code provisions)
- Media and defamation in the digital age
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 6 - The Foundational Concepts of Data Protection Law
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- GDPR:
- The distinction between data controllers and data processors;
- The notion of positive consent in data issues;
- Data breaches, notification, reporting and risk management;
- The role of local and inter-state data protection authorities; and
- The application of data protection and privacy law in jurisprudence.
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Lecture 7 - Comparative analysis of common IT & data privacy laws within the EU - Dr Veronica Campbell
The following topics will be covered in this lecture:
- Comparative analyses between the application of common IT & data privacy law across the European Union member states; and
- Identifying new concepts and developments in data protection legislation today:
- E-Privacy Regulation;
- Cookie war;
- New SCCs.
Core Reading List
- Edwards, L., 2018. Law, Policy and the Internet. Bloomsbury: Hart Publishing.
- Borg Knight, R., Gonzi, P. and Sciberras, A., 2018. GDPR For HR Professionals
- Voigt, P., 2018. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Springer International PU
Supplementary Reading List
- The GDPR Handbook: A Guide To Implementing The Eu General Data Protection Regulation.
- Schwartz, P. and Solove, D., 2019. Privacy Law Fundamentals.
- Bainbridge, D., Introduction to Information Technology Law 6th Edition, Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc.
Methods of Assessment
2 out of a choice of 4 assignment titles - 100% weighting
Assignment
You have to choose 2 out of the 4 questions which will be made available in the Assignment Submission form below. The assignments should be submitted no later than Thursday 18 July 2024. The assignments have to be submitted together with the Assignment Submission Form. Please indicate the questions which you have addressed in the Assignment Submission form.
If you need information on how to plan, draft and submit your assignment, follow the 21 Academy presentation on Writing and Submitting your Assignment.
We are also making the 21 Academy's Assignments Rubric available for your guidance. This is a performance-based assessment tool. Tutors will use the rubric to assist them in allocating scoring while also allowing students to understand what is required in the assignment and how it will be graded. For referencing purposes, please, as much as possible, use the Oscola Referencing Guide.
Submitting Assignment - Turnitin
The Academy will notify you that assignment questions are available through email. Through another email sent to you by Turnitin (probably on the same day), you will be notified that you have been added to a "class" where you may upload your assignment(s). Assignments should be submitted by not later than 23:59hrs of the assignment submission deadline shown on the Assignment Submission form and/or the "class".
At 21 Academy, you can submit more than one draft of your assignment before the submission deadline. The last version uploaded at the submission deadline will be considered your final submission paper and will be the one which is assessed. Make sure that your final submission does not go beyond 20% similarity when including direct quotations (the sentences in-between quotes).
Follow this very short video to understand how to submit your assignment through Turnitin: submitting a paper
To understand the similarity report generated by Turnitin, follow this 1-minute video: understanding the similarity report