Data Shadow and the Paradox of Anonymity: Exploring Privacy and Surveillance in the Digital Age

This talk, delivered at the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, as part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas, delved into the themes of Mark Farid’s projects Data Shadow and Anonymity Is Our Only Right and That Is Why It Must Be Destroyed. Farid explored the intersection of privacy, surveillance, and digital identity, highlighting how modern technologies erode anonymity and reshape societal norms. By examining the legal, ethical, and social implications of pervasive data collection, the talk engaged audiences in a critical discussion about the balance between transparency and personal freedom in the digital age.