Discover the fascinating evolution of privacy rights, from ancient civilizations to the digital age. Understanding our past helps protect our future.
Explore TimelineOne of the earliest privacy laws in England, restricting peeping toms and eavesdroppers. This marked the beginning of legal privacy protection in common law.
Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis published their groundbreaking article defining privacy as "the right to be let alone," laying the foundation for modern privacy law.
Article 12 established privacy as a fundamental human right, stating that no one should be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, or home.
First major data protection law in the US, regulating the collection and use of consumer credit information and establishing rights for individuals.
Established comprehensive data protection framework across Europe, setting standards for personal data processing and individual rights.
The General Data Protection Regulation transformed global privacy standards, establishing unprecedented rights for individuals and responsibilities for organizations.
Co-authored "The Right to Privacy" and championed individual privacy rights throughout his career. Known as the "People's Lawyer" for his advocacy of civil liberties.
Pioneering privacy researcher who defined privacy as "the claim of individuals to determine when and how information about them is communicated to others."
Founded the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and has been a leading voice in digital privacy rights and government surveillance oversight.
Government and corporate surveillance capabilities have expanded dramatically with digital technology, creating new challenges for privacy protection.
Large-scale data breaches have exposed billions of personal records, highlighting the need for stronger data security and privacy protections.
Social platforms collect vast amounts of personal data, raising questions about consent, data ownership, and the commodification of personal information.
Artificial intelligence systems can infer sensitive information from seemingly innocuous data, creating new privacy risks and challenges for regulation.