What are some examples of privacy violations?

Asked by: Ebba Cremin  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (54 votes)

Privacy violations include unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of personal data, like sharing medical records without consent, selling customer info, or installing surveillance software, ranging from major breaches (e.g., Anthem, Uber) to internal mishandling, such as misdirected emails or failing to secure data, often covered by laws like HIPAA or CCPA.

What are the examples of privacy violations?

Meanwhile, a violation of privacy stems from internal practices or the mishandling of data within organizations. Privacy violation examples include unauthorized data sharing with third parties or using customer information for purposes beyond the scope of its intended use.

What are 10 examples of sensitive personal information?

Definition of Sensitive Personal Information

  • Racial or ethnic origin.
  • Political opinions.
  • Religious or philosophical beliefs.
  • Trade union membership.
  • Genetic data.
  • Biometric data.
  • Health data.
  • Sexual orientation or sex life.

What counts as violation of privacy?

Under the umbrella of invasion of privacy, there exist several legal claims that can be brought by the aggrieved party, such as intrusion on seclusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light, and appropriation.

What are the 4 types of invasion of privacy?

The four main types of invasion of privacy are: Intrusion upon seclusion (e.g., spying), Public disclosure of private facts (revealing embarrassing truths), False light (portraying someone inaccurately), and Appropriation of name or likeness (using someone's identity for gain). These legal concepts protect individuals from unwanted intrusion into their personal lives and misuse of their identity.
 

What Are Examples Of Privacy Violations? - The Ethical Compass

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Which of the following scenarios could constitute a privacy violation?

A privacy violation occurs when sensitive information, such as an individual's location, associations, or communications, is linked to a specific individual, either through intentional or unintentional means, including data breaches and unauthorized data collection or secondary use.

How to prove invasion of privacy?

To prove invasion of privacy, you must show the defendant intentionally intruded on a private matter where you had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and the intrusion would be highly offensive to an average person, often by documenting specific acts like hidden cameras, unauthorized access, or public disclosure of private facts, and then consulting a lawyer to understand the four main types of invasion: intrusion, public disclosure, false light, and appropriation. 

What qualifies as a breach of privacy?

Definitions: The loss of control, compromise, unauthorized disclosure, unauthorized acquisition, or any similar occurrence where (1) a person other than an authorized user accesses or potentially accesses data or (2) an authorized user accesses data for an other than authorized purpose.

What laws fall under privacy?

Generally speaking, privacy laws fall into two categories: vertical and horizontal. Vertical privacy laws protect medical records or financial data, including details such as an individual's health and financial status. Horizontal privacy laws focus on how organizations use information, regardless of its context.

What is infringing on your privacy?

When information about a person is obtained against his or her will, either by coercion or by force, their right to privacy has been violated. When another person divulges information to a broader audience, or their information has been taken, privacy has been violated.

What is not considered personal information?

Non-personally identifiable information (non-PII) is data that cannot be used on its own to trace, or identify a person. Examples of non-PII include, but are not limited to: Aggregated statistics on the use of product/service. Partially or fully masked IP addresses.

What is data masking?

Data masking is the process of hiding data by modifying its original letters and numbers. Due to regulatory and privacy requirements, organizations must protect the sensitive data they collect about their customers and operations.

What are 5 examples of personal information?

Five examples of personal information include your name, home address, Social Security number, date of birth, and email address, which can directly identify you, while other details like browsing history or financial data also count as personal information.
 

What is a violation of your privacy?

These activities include, for example, tracking and harassing a person, taking a photograph of a person in a private domain, publishing a demeaning photograph of a person, using a person's likeness or voice or image for commercial purposes, a violation of confidentiality in relation to a person's private matters and ...

What are the four types of privacy rights?

Intrusion upon seclusion; Appropriation of a person's name or likeness; Public disclosure of private facts; and. Publicity placing person in false light.

What are some examples of breach of privacy?

Disclosing information when an exception doesn't apply can lead to a privacy breach, even if it was unintentional.

  • Company accidentally discloses debtor details.
  • Hospital employee discloses health information about a woman to a mutual friend.
  • Daughter's photograph used to promote holiday programme.

What is the most common privacy violation?

What are the 10 Most Common HIPAA Violations?

  • Insufficient ePHI Access Controls. ...
  • Failure to Use Encryption or an Equivalent Measure to Safeguard ePHI on Portable Devices. ...
  • Exceeding the 60-Day Deadline for Issuing Breach Notifications. ...
  • Impermissible Disclosures of Protected Health Information. ...
  • Improper Disposal of PHI.

What are the 8 individual privacy rights?

The GDPR has a chapter on the rights of data subjects (individuals) which includes the right of access, the right to rectification, the right to erasure, the right to restrict processing, the right to data portability, the right to object and the right not to be subject to a decision based solely on automated ...

What are the three rights under the Privacy Act?

Under the U.S. Privacy Act of 1974, individuals have three main rights: the right to access their own federal agency records, the right to request amendments to inaccurate or incomplete records, and the right to sue the government for violations, like unauthorized disclosure or mishandling of their data. These rights ensure individuals can see, correct, and seek remedies for how federal agencies handle their personal information. 

What is an example of violating privacy?

Some of the most common privacy violations include insufficient legal basis for data processing, unclear privacy notification details, and data breaches. Businesses that violate privacy laws might receive fines, be forced to stop data processing, or face other legal penalties.

What are the three types of breaches?

There are three major types of contract breaches: a material breach, a partial breach, and a total breach. A material breach is when one of the parties has done something that results in illegal action against another party's property rights. A partial breach occurs when a contract has not been completed.

What is the most common cause of privacy breaches?

Use strong passwords: The most common cause of data breaches continues to be weak passwords, which enable attackers to steal user credentials and give them access to corporate networks.

What are the four acts that qualify as an invasion of privacy?

Tort liability: An invasion of privacy may amount to a tort, such as intrusion upon seclusion, appropriation of name or likeness, public disclosure of private facts, or false light.

Is it worth suing someone for defamation?

Suing for defamation can be worthwhile if you suffered significant, measurable harm (reputational, financial, emotional) from false statements, and you have strong evidence, but it's a difficult, costly process involving intrusive discovery and proving damages, making legal consultation essential to weigh potential recovery against high legal fees and stress. 

What is a serious invasion of privacy?

This Schedule establishes a cause of action in tort for serious invasions of privacy. An individual has a cause of action against another person if, among other things, the other person invaded the individual's privacy by intruding upon their seclusion or misusing information relating to them.