Invasion Of Privacy Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Invasion Of Privacy, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Invasion Of Privacy?

History and Meaning of Invasion Of Privacy

Invasion of privacy is a legal term that refers to a person's right to keep their personal life private from unauthorized intrusion by others. The concept of privacy has been recognized in various forms throughout history and across different cultures, but it wasn't until the late 19th century that it was officially recognized as a legal concept in the United States. In 1890, law professors Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis published an influential law review article titled "The Right to Privacy," in which they argued that technological advances had made it increasingly easy for journalists and other individuals to invade people's privacy without their consent. The article helped establish a legal basis for protecting an individual's right to privacy against such intrusions.

Today, invasion of privacy is recognized as a tort (civil wrong) that can be committed in a variety of ways, including through unauthorized surveillance, publication of private information, and intrusion upon or appropriation of one's identity. The specific elements required to prove an invasion of privacy claim may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the exact nature of the alleged invasion, but generally involve showing that the defendant's conduct was intentional, that it invaded the plaintiff's privacy, and that the invasion caused harm to the plaintiff.

Examples of Invasion Of Privacy

1. A celebrity sues a paparazzo for taking invasive photographs of them without their consent.
2. An employer secretly monitors their employees' computer activity and personal phone calls.
3. A neighbor installs hidden cameras to spy on their neighbor's activities.
4. A journalist publishes a private, sensitive piece of information such as one that could damage someone's reputation.
5. An individual pretends to be someone else to gain access to private information, like pretending to be a bank employee to get access to bank account details.

Legal Terms Similar to Invasion Of Privacy

1. Defamation - making a false statement that harms someone's reputation
2. Fraud - deceiving someone in order to obtain something of value
3. Intentional infliction of emotional distress - intentionally causing severe emotional distress to another person
4. Trespass - intentional intrusion into someone else's property without permission.