Invasion of Privacy Torts

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Invasion of privacy occurs when there is a violation of an individual’s reasonable expectation to be left alone.

• tort established from common law
• common basis for class action lawsuits against companies that experienced data breaches

4 Torts that Result in Invasion of Privacy

• Invasion of solitude
  • is a physical or electronic intrusion into the private affairs of a person
  • e.g.,
    • breaking into someone’s home
    • accessing someone’s email account
• Public disclosure of private facts
  • involves the disclosure of truthful information when the release of that information would offend a reasonable person
  • only applies if the info is not newsworthy or of public interest
• False light
  • is a legal term that applies when someone discloses information that causes another person to be falsely perceived by others
• Appropriation
  • is the unauthorized use of someone’s name or likeness