encroach on privacy

USAGE SUMMARY

"encroach on privacy" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to intrude or violate someone's privacy. Example: The new surveillance laws will allow the government to encroach on citizens' privacy rights by monitoring their internet activities without their consent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Testifying to a Senate committee, Mr. Gonzales acknowledged concerns that such legislation might be overly intrusive and encroach on privacy rights.

The New York Times

Design of ID card unveiled [Guardian], union flag left off cards in order to recognise Irish nationals' rights in NI [Guardian] Big Brother is watching your blackberry – how wired gadgets encroach on privacy [Spiegel] Will the well-meaning joint committee on human rights report on the policing of protest will have any impact?

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no scientifically reliable estimate of the percentage of investigations that lead nowhere and thus gratuitously encroach on privacy and inflict uncompensated losses on the innocent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The ACLU has heavily scrutinized law enforcement agencies' use of Stingray devices over the past year, arguing that Stingrays seriously encroach on individual privacy rights: "When its used to track a suspect's cell phone, [it] also gather[s] information about the phones of countless bystanders who happen to be nearby".

Vice

Pascal explained how the media's demonization of kratom has allowed police to encroach on Thai citizens' privacy: "The police like associating kratom with terror because then they can use anti-terror legislation to search people," he told me.

Vice

Allow the administration to explain why Prism keeps the public without encroaching on privacy and let Snowden argue the counter view.

Independent

The American Revolution was sparked by colonial opposition to hated British Writs of Assistance that indiscriminately encroached on privacy without good cause.

Huffington Post

Just as technology has been used to encroach on the privacy of the individual, we would like to see technology harnessed to give people back some power in a way that is democratic, easy, cheap and fast.

The Guardian - Opinion

Law enforcement officials say that new technologies like cellular phones, anonymous e-mail messages and encryption can hinder their efforts, while civil libertarians warn that the technologies to monitor these new forms of communication give government more power than ever before to encroach on the privacy of citizens.

The New York Times

It would encroach on user privacy, they argue, but will also undermine the U.S.'s position in the world.

TechCrunch

The government's argument is that the data it's collecting is largely anonymised, and thus does not encroach on individual privacy.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In news reports, clearly explain the methods used to "encroach on privacy" to provide context for the severity of the intrusion.

Common error

Avoid using "approach" or "impeach" in place of "encroach". "Encroach" specifically indicates a gradual or subtle intrusion that can negatively affect privacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encroach on privacy" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of gradually intruding or infringing upon an individual's right to privacy. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various contexts related to technology, legislation, and personal rights.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encroach on privacy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the gradual intrusion or violation of someone's personal privacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys concerns about actions undermining individual freedoms. While alternatives such as "infringe upon privacy" or "violate privacy rights" offer similar meanings, "encroach on privacy" emphasizes the gradual nature of the intrusion. Predominantly found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for discussions on technology, legislation, and ethical considerations. It's most effectively employed when highlighting the slow erosion of privacy due to specific actions or policies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Invade someone's privacy

Focuses more directly on the act of intrusion.

Violate privacy rights

Highlights the legal or ethical aspect of privacy.

Infringe upon privacy

Similar in meaning, but uses a slightly more formal tone.

Intrude on personal space

Emphasizes the personal boundaries being crossed.

Compromise personal data

Focuses on the exposure or leakage of personal information.

Breach data security

Highlights a security failure that leads to privacy violation.

Overstep boundaries

A more general phrase indicating the exceeding of acceptable limits.

Undermine confidentiality

Highlights the weakening of private information's security.

Erode privacy protections

Emphasizes the gradual weakening of safeguards for privacy.

Trample on privacy

Uses a stronger, more emotive verb to convey a sense of disregard for privacy.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "encroach on privacy"?

Alternatives include "infringe upon privacy", "violate privacy rights", or "invade someone's privacy".

How can technology "encroach on privacy"?

Technology can "encroach on privacy" through data collection, surveillance, and the use of algorithms that track and analyze personal information without consent.

What's the difference between "encroach on privacy" and "intrude on privacy"?

"Encroach on privacy" suggests a gradual or subtle intrusion, while "intrude on privacy" implies a more direct or forceful invasion of privacy.

In what contexts is it most common to hear about actions that "encroach on privacy"?

You'll often see the phrase "encroach on privacy" in discussions about government surveillance, data security breaches, and the ethical implications of new technologies.