Cyber Law and Ethics by Grabowski, Mark; Robinson, Eric P.;

Short description:

Written by two journalists-turned-lawyers-turned-professors, the book demystifies complex legal concepts and explores real-world dilemmas surrounding online speech, privacy, cyber security, intellectual property, artificial intelligence and digital commerce.

Long description:

In today’s digital age, understanding the legal and ethical rules that govern cyberspace is essential – not just for future lawyers, but for anyone navigating careers in media, technology, business or government. The updated and expanded second edition of Cyber Law and Ethics continues to offer a practical, student-friendly introduction to the fast-changing world of cyber law.

Written by two journalists-turned-lawyers-turned-professors, the book demystifies complex legal concepts and explores real-world dilemmas surrounding online speech, privacy, cyber security, intellectual property, artificial intelligence and digital commerce. It tackles timely and often controversial issues, including cancel culture and content moderation, AI-generated deepfakes and chatbots, revenge porn and age verification laws, cryptocurrency regulation and financial censorship, cybercrime and hacking, and the global battle over who controls the internet.

With clear, engaging writing and real-life examples, Cyber Law and Ethics avoids legal jargon and instead offers a bottom-line approach tailored for undergraduate students. Drawing on years of classroom experience, the authors break down difficult topics in an accessible way – equipping students with the digital literacy and critical thinking skills they need to understand the rules shaping our connected world. A suite of instructor’s resources is also available to further support teaching and engagement.

“In their new edition of Cyber Law and Ethics, Mark Grawbowski and Eric Robinson have achieved the near-impossible: writing an entertaining dissection of the constantly changing regulatory, legislative and judicial efforts to tame and control speech on the internet. Students and instructors who use this book will benefit from the authors' wisdom and experience, and have a lot of fun as they do so.”

— Jane E. Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law, University of Minnesota, USA

“Cyber Law and Ethics comprehensively covers essential topics with refreshing clarity and relatable examples. It demystifies complex issues—from AI to e-commerce—to help students critically engage with the legal rules and ethical dilemmas shaping our lives.”

— Amy Kristin Sanders, John and Ann Curley Chair in First Amendment, Penn State University, USA

Table of Contents:

1. Born Digital: How the Internet Was Built and How It Works 2. Managing Cyberspace: How the Internet is Governed 3. Mapping the Digital Frontier: How Cyber Law Is Made in the United States 4. Speaking in Code: Freedom of Online Speech in the United States 5. Drawing the Line: Legal Limits on Online Speech 6. Blurring the Line: Gray Areas in Online Speech 7. Anonymity in a Sharing World: Privacy in the Information Age 8. Virtual Ideas: Intellectual Property Online 9. Terms and Conditions Apply: Doing Business in the E-Commerce Era 10. Danger in the Data: Guarding Against Cyberthreats 11. Rules of Play: Regulating Online Games and Virtual Worlds 12. Real Rules for an Artificial World: Artificial Intelligence and the Law 13. Next Generation: Emerging Issues in Cyber Law. Case Index