CIPP/US Study Guide
Chapter 1: Introduction to Privacy

Defining Privacy

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In 1890, Warren and Brandeis defined privacy as the right to be let alone in the Harvard Law Review. U.S. law calls this field privacy law while the EU calls it data protection law.

In 1890, Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis published 'The Right to Privacy' in the Harvard Law Review, setting forth the essential definition of privacy as the right to be let alone. The definition underscored both the personal and social dimensions of privacy.

Privacy has also been defined as the desire of people to freely choose the circumstances and degree to which they expose their attitudes and behavior to others, and has been tied to human personality, independence, dignity, and integrity.

Terminology by region

Privacy law / data privacy / information privacy law is the U.S. terminology. Data protection law is the EU terminology. They describe the same broad field.

Key terms - quick answers

What is “Privacy law”?
The U.S. (and some other countries') term for laws protecting information about individuals, also called data privacy or information privacy law.
What is “Data protection law”?
The European Union (and other countries') term for laws protecting personal information about individuals.
What is “The right to be let alone”?
Warren and Brandeis's 1890 definition of privacy, set out in 'The Right to Privacy' in the Harvard Law Review.

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