Privacy Definition and Legal Meaning

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

What is Privacy?

The state of being away from the observation of others by being let alone as away from public notice without unwanted intrusion of public, government bodies, media etc unless he/she is in news.

History and Meaning of Privacy

The concept of privacy originates from the Latin word "privatus", which means separated or kept away from public view. In general, privacy refers to a person's right to be free from unwarranted intrusion, surveillance, or exposure into their personal life. It is a fundamental human right recognised by many countries worldwide, and is protected under the law. As technology has advanced, the concept of privacy has evolved, and today it includes online privacy and protecting personal information from data breaches and cyber threats.

Examples of Privacy

  1. John closed the door to his bedroom to ensure his privacy while he changed his clothes.
  2. The company's privacy policy stated that all personal information would be kept confidential and only used for specified purposes.
  3. The government's use of drones to monitor citizens' activities raised concerns about invasion of privacy.

Legal Terms Similar to Privacy

  1. Confidentiality: The act of keeping information secret, especially information that is protected by privacy laws.
  2. Data Protection: Refers to the measures taken to keep personal information safe and prevent it from being accessed or misused by unauthorised parties.
  3. Right to be Forgotten: A legal concept that allows individuals to request the removal of their personal information from search engine results or websites.