What Does the Coldplay Kiss Cam Reveal About Global Privacy?
Jul 25, 2025
A recent Coldplay concert kiss cam went viral—but what passes as harmless entertainment in the U.S. could raise serious compliance questions in Europe, as outlined in this lighthearted post. In this week’s newsletter, we use the moment to unpack what really separates U.S. and EU privacy regimes.
One Research Paper
Is privacy a right or a trade? This critical review contrasts U.S. and EU privacy law by digging into their philosophical roots—market freedom vs. human dignity. It makes the case that global data interoperability may be inevitable, but regulatory harmonisation is anything but simple.
One Article
For a simpler breakdown, read this Forbes article, which highlights the stark contrast between EU and U.S. privacy mindsets. While Europe enforces strong protections like the GDPR, shaped by a history of surveillance, the U.S. accepts weaker regulations, influenced by big tech and government interests.
One Infographic
Source: BloombergLaw.com
One Resource
This chapter outlines the legal mechanisms for transferring personal data outside the EEA under the GDPR, while emphasising key limitations—such as strict conditions on certain tools, potential restrictions by Member States, and the risk of frameworks being revoked or invalidated.
One Solution
Differential privacy enables global teams to work with sensitive data without moving it across borders. By protecting individual privacy in the results, it helps organisations stay compliant with GDPR and Schrems II—while still enabling secure, effective collaboration.