privacy

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Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves, and thereby express themselves selectively.
When something is private to a person, it usually means that something is inherently special or sensitive to them. The domain of privacy partially overlaps with security, which can include the concepts of appropriate use, as well as protection of information. Privacy may also take the form of bodily integrity. The right not to be subjected to unsanctioned invasions of privacy by the government, corporations or individuals is part of many countries' privacy laws, and in some cases, constitutions.
In the business world, a person may volunteer personal details, including for advertising, in order to receive some sort of benefit. Public figures may be subject to rules on the public interest. Personal information which is voluntarily shared but subsequently stolen or misused can lead to identity theft.
The concept of universal individual privacy is a modern concept primarily associated with Western culture, British and North American in particular, and remained virtually unknown in some cultures until recent times. Most cultures, however, recognize the ability of individuals to withhold certain parts of their personal information from wider society, such as closing the door to one's home.

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  1. thommoAj

    Neighbour has Privacy Screen Attached to common Fence - I painted our side.

    Hi, we have a common fence, and on the neighbor's side a privacy screen is attached, the screen extends perhaps 1/2 a meter above the common fence. Not sure when the privacy screen was added but it was before the current owners bought the house next door, and probably before we bought it, so...
  2. C

    NSW Privacy and employment

    Hello thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. 8 years ago I applied for employment with a company which is part of a group of companies. Sensitive medical information was collected with consent at that time. The application was not successful probably due to the nature of the medical...
  3. K

    NSW Has Council contravened the Privacy Act?

    We are in dispute with counci regarding our front fence and the matter is being exacerbated by our whinging neighbour who has complained non stop for 15 years. Is it a breach of privacy that the council's building inspector wrote to the neighbour in response to his complaint that the council...
  4. M

    Side Boundary Fence/Screen - Privacy vs View Loss

    The side fence between our properties is currently only chainlink and about 1.6m high. This offers no privacy to our garden and BBQ area. We would like to install either a 5m LONG 2.5M HIGH on ground privacy screen in our property and/or a 1.8m high paling or simlar fence on the boundary...
  5. S

    WA Breach of privacy by Government dept

    Hello. Over a year ago I discovered someone I used to know accessed my phone details via personal records. This person (I will call Linda). I had known Linda some years as a friend through Church but had no contact for @ 6 years. I did not wish to have any contact with Linda.I wanted no contact...
  6. G

    SA privacy of personal information in fccoa

    Hi, Just got something that feels off and need some clarification if possible. I had an issue I tried discussing with an ex awhile ago. I started a new job and time arrangements interfere with that and seeked a change in care. They demanded proof of employment and personal information proving...
  7. M

    "No confidentiality established"

    Hi, I'm a mortgage broker. Last year I emailed my industry body to complain about an issue with a bank. The response I received was weak, so I worte back to him and suggested that he take real action and we boycott the banks that are participating in dodgy practises etc. The director of the...
  8. S

    NSW NCAT wants me to tell them what orders I want for privacy application

    I lodged an NCAT application in regard to breaches of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act. During proceedings the respondent was directed by the tribunal to provide me with my personal information (which they were withholding) and to correct my personal information (which they...
  9. M

    VIC Privacy of pathology test results - right to delete

    If I do a test with a pathology lab, after they provide me with my results can I request them to delete all data they have on me (in such a way that they are obliged to do it)? I tried to research this a bit online - on the one hand there seems to be Australian Privacy Principle 11 which says...
  10. P

    QLD privacy

    hi there, i have question about family tree websites a cusion of mine has done a family tree he has my full name date of birth and where i was born i never gave permission for him to use my personal information i have ask him to remove my date of birth he has also listed my children information...