invasion of privacy

American  

noun

1. an encroachment upon the right to be let alone or to be free from publicity.

---

Etymology

Origin of invasion of privacy

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

A bank can track your every move, but the moment someone else does, it’s thought an invasion of privacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Semi-finalist Jessica Pegula described the constant filming as an "invasion of privacy" that needs to be "cut back".

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

Cyber security analyst Nikhil Pahwa said the rules were "clearly" an invasion of privacy.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

Additionally, victims can file civil claims for invasion of privacy, emotional distress, or negligence if the offender failed to protect or delete intimate content.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

One thing he’d learned in Idaho was to be suspicious of all this record-keeping; it was an invasion of privacy.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz