RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN ON THE INTERNET: CONFLICTS BETWEEN FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND PRIVACY PROTECTION

Abstract

The right to be forgotten is an emerging legal concept that gained prominence with the expansion of the internet and social networks. It is a prerogative aimed at protecting privacy and human dignity, allowing individuals to request the removal of outdated or irrelevant content that may compromise their reputation, especially when there is no longer a prevailing public interest. This theoretical and qualitative study seeks to analyze the foundations and challenges of applying the right to be forgotten in the digital age, highlighting its conflicts with freedom of expression and the right to information—both pillars of the Democratic State under the Rule of Law. The topic demands a balanced legal analysis between these constitutional values, proposing the need for normative criteria to ensure equilibrium between collective memory and the respect for individual privacy.