Privacy

Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to stop information about themselves from becoming known to people other than those they choose to give the information to. Privacy is sometimes related to anonymity although it is often most highly valued by people who are publicly known. Privacy can be seen as an aspect of security—one in which trade-offs between the interests of one group and another can become particularly clear.

Reasons for maintaining privacy

One may wish to maintain privacy by withholding information from others because of stigma (as in the case of some "closeted" homosexuals), or for protection from the law (as when criminals hide information to prevent others from catching them). Privacy may include preserving modesty and preventing embarassment by keeping others away while naked, using a toilet, or having sex.

Related Topics:
"closeted" - Homosexuals - Criminal - Toilet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Often, information (such as bank account numbers or, in the USA, the Social Security Number) may be used against the owner of the information, for example to commit fraud. By maintaining privacy, information owners hope to avoid this fraud or limit effects from it.

Related Topics:
Social Security Number - Fraud

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~