Chapter 1: Introduction to Privacy
The Four Classes of Privacy
Privacy splits into four classes: information, bodily, territorial, and communications privacy. This book focuses primarily on information privacy.
| Class | Focus | Typical invasion |
|---|---|---|
| Information privacy | Collection and handling of personal information | Misuse of financial, medical, or internet records |
| Bodily privacy | A person's physical being | Genetic testing, drug testing, body cavity searches |
| Territorial privacy | Limits on intruding into a person's environment | Video surveillance, identification checks |
| Communications privacy | Means of correspondence | Interception of mail, phone, email |
Memory hook
I-B-T-C: Information, Bodily, Territorial, Communications. This book focuses primarily on information privacy.
Key terms - quick answers
What is “Information privacy”?
Privacy concerned with rules governing the collection and handling of personal information such as financial, medical, government, and internet-activity records.
What is “Bodily privacy”?
Privacy focused on a person's physical being and invasions such as genetic testing, drug testing, or body cavity searches.
What is “Territorial privacy”?
Privacy concerned with limits on intruding into an individual's environment - home, workplace, or public space - via monitoring such as video surveillance.
What is “Communications privacy”?
Privacy protecting the means of correspondence, including postal mail, telephone, email, and other communicative behavior.