European Scientific Journal, ESJ

Personal Data Security in Comparative Perspective: Legal Frameworks and Protections

Mariam Zarkua — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:36:47 +0000

The paper presents the general concept of personal data protection, its legal approaches in the European Union, the United States, Japan and Georgia and its main purpose is to study different legal frameworks and approaches that underlie the formation and development of general data protection policies. The present study examines the primary legislative instruments, including the GDPR and the CCPA, which are discussed below, as well as Japanese and Georgian legal regulations. The study's objective is to assess the legal standards of these states with a particular focus on the extent to which they balance and protect the confidentiality of individuals' personal data, while considering commercial interests and state needs. The study utilizes doctrinal and comparative legal methodologies to illuminate the primary regulatory mechanisms governing personal data, restrictions and the individual's right to access personal information. The conclusions presented herein underscore the challenges inherent in the establishment of a unified approach to personal data in the future. The study underscores that the foundation for effective personal data governance in the digital age is a hybrid approach, integrating flexible legal regulations that readily adapt to technological advancements. The document synthesizes fundamental information and methodologies concerning personal data, which are likely to be of interest to both personal data protection policymakers and legal professionals in general, as well as individuals with non-legal educational backgrounds. The protection of personal information and confidentiality is a matter of concern for each individual.

Evolution of the Regulation of Covert Investigative Actions in the Criminal Justice Process

Lela Gudadze — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:32:01 +0000

Covert investigative actions (CIAs) represent an essential instrument of modern criminal justice systems, enabling law enforcement authorities to obtain evidence that is often inaccessible through traditional investigative methods. At the same time, the intrusive nature of such measures raises significant concerns regarding the protection of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to privacy and procedural safeguards.

This study examines the legal framework governing covert investigative actions in Georgia and evaluates its compatibility with European human rights standards. The research is based on qualitative legal methodology, combining doctrinal analysis of Georgian criminal procedural legislation with comparative analysis of selected foreign legal systems and relevant judicial practice, including the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

The findings indicate that Georgian legislation has undergone significant reforms aimed at strengthening judicial authorization, proportionality requirements, and data protection guarantees. Nevertheless, several key legal concepts remain insufficiently defined, including the notions of “legitimate purpose” and “urgent public need,” which may create interpretative ambiguities in practice.

The paper argues that further legislative clarification, enhanced oversight mechanisms, and continuous professional training for law enforcement and judicial authorities are necessary to ensure that covert investigative measures are applied in full compliance with international human rights standards and the rule of law.

Sustainable Development of Mountain Tourism in Georgia

Maka Piranashvili, Shorena Metreveli, Lizi Dzimistarishvili — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:30:17 +0000

Mountain tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Georgia, and the role of mountain and ski resorts in the development of the country’s tourism. Sustainable development of mountain tourism is one of the resources for economic growth in Georgia; furthermore, it is an important prerequisite for regional development, strengthening social capital and protecting natural heritage. The paper discusses the economic benefits derived from the visits of international travelers and the necessary conditions for sustainable development, and evaluates the influence of the number of visitors to Georgia and the income derived from international tourism based on statistical analysis. For this purpose, correlation-regression and dynamic analysis methods were used. Through secondary quantitative and qualitative research, we discussed important aspects necessary for the creation of sustainable mountain tourism in the country, for which an in-depth study was conducted. Consequently, several key problems were identified: insufficient infrastructure development, environmental threats, uneven distribution of tourism revenues, and limited involvement of the local population. The goal of the article is to analyze the development of sustainable mountain tourism, where one of the priority areas is the transformation of seasonal resorts into four-season resorts. All the above should be realized in accordance with the goals and recommendations of sustainable development.