Defining Privacy.

“Privacy” means a lot of different things to different people. In 1890 Justice Brandeis said the right to privacy was the “right to be left alone.” I tend to agree. Of course translating this into a coherent strategy to protect the right to Privacy is exceptionally difficult. Numerous court cases, the actions of the Federal Trade Commission and the tireless work of various organizations have created a better framework for understanding the right to privacy in given situations. But ultimately, it comes back to Brandies’ statement and what the “right to be left alone” means to you.

Of course “being left alone” is just as undefinable as “privacy”. So, what does it mean to be “left alone” when you surf the internet, leaving comments and photos in your path? Does it bother you that when you enter search terms into a search engine you may be revealing a tremendous amount about yourself, including your medical issues, political preferences and sexual orientation? Or do you feel comfortable that your particular information won’t be misused and that the convenience of the service is worth someone knowing that you were a member of the Rhinoceros Party of Canada, have itchy skin and a penchant for people in uniforms?

What are you comfortable with? What does privacy mean to you?