Regulations are usually well intended but second order effects are rarely thought out at all.
GDPR, article 17(3)a: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CEL...
> 3. [Right to erasure] shall not apply to the extent that processing is necessary:
> (a) for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information;
More precise information from WP29. See the criteria list, beginning in page 13: https://ec.europa.eu/justice/article-29/documentation/opinio... This was from the DPD era, but still applies to GDPR.
How Google handles removal requests: https://support.google.com/legal/answer/10769224?hl=en&sjid=...
Also the privacy of politicians being investigated for corruption and graft. And corrupt judges for freeing their customers.
One evil piece of legislation. But hey, at least Google/Facebook/Amazon is not selling “my data”!
Also, if I were into social studies, I'd look at social media and how they drive outrage, and a good way to show kids how such an influence operation works so they don't fall for it. My wife and I have been a little active in this area, but way too little to make any meaningful difference, unfortunately.