impinge on privacy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impinge on privacy" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to interfere with or limit someone's privacy, typically in an unwanted or intrusive way. For example, "The government's surveillance policies impinge on privacy and civil liberties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now, coming on top of these measures, which are all deployed at the national level, China's provincial governments are getting into the act, introducing regulations of their own that critics say severely impinge on privacy and freedom of speech.

The New York Times

The future promises more exotic inventions with the potential to impinge on privacy, including, as Mr. Garfinkle notes, brain mapping (akin to mindreading), intellectual avatars and autonomous software agents.

The New York Times - Tech

The Good Wife tackled the use of drones and how they impinge on privacy; the complications that can arise from bitcoin; and Chicago's Homan Square better than most news agencies, let alone serialized dramas.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This practice seriously impinges on personal privacy and is unacceptable in any other setting except, perhaps, imprisonment.

BMC Medical Ethics

Thomas Drake, who worked at the National Security Agency, was threatened with life imprisonment for leaking to the Baltimore Sun unclassified details of a wasteful programme that also impinged on privacy.

The Economist

He claims that the longer period somehow impinges on privacy, yet there are no such strict limits on how long other agencies and organizations -- including the Internal Revenue Service, the Census Bureau, registries of motor vehicles or even private credit-rating firms -- may hold onto similar, voluntarily provided information.

The New York Times

The "ugly caterpillars", as some Mumbaikars call them, block views from houses that overlook the skywalk and impinge on their privacy.

The Guardian

Damazer expressed regret over his handling of an episode of John Humphrys interview series On The Ropes, featuring DJ Andy Kershaw, which he pulled over fears it would impinge on the privacy of the presenter's former girlfriend and their children.

The Guardian

But the study flagged up that the scenario of most concern to respondents focused on smart home-style technologies that threaten to impinge on domestic privacy.

TechCrunch

The problem is that Snowden also revealed intelligence activities that didn't impinge on the privacy of Americans.

Los Angeles Times

3. Explain how, where, and when sample data are collected, and who the concerned individuals are donors as long as the information does not impinge on individual privacy.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impinge on privacy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the intrusion or limitation of privacy. For example, specify the policies, technologies, or actions that "impinge on privacy".

Common error

Avoid using "impinge on privacy" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler, more direct language like "invade privacy" or "affect privacy" in casual conversations or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impinge on privacy" functions as a verb phrase, where "impinge" is the verb, "on" is a preposition, and "privacy" is the noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and functions to describe an action that has a negative impact on someone's privacy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impinge on privacy" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that means to negatively affect or intrude upon someone's privacy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "affect privacy", it is frequently employed in news, science, and formal business contexts to express concern about actions or policies that threaten individual privacy rights. Understanding the nuanced meaning and appropriate context of "impinge on privacy" allows for more precise and impactful communication in discussions about privacy and its limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infringe on privacy

Replaces "impinge" with "infringe", which carries a similar meaning of violating or encroaching upon a right or boundary.

encroach on privacy

Uses "encroach" instead of "impinge", suggesting a gradual or subtle intrusion on privacy.

intrude on privacy

Replaces "impinge" with "intrude", emphasizing the act of entering or interfering in someone's private sphere.

violate privacy

This is a more direct and forceful way of saying "impinge on privacy", indicating a clear breach of privacy rights.

affect privacy negatively

Describes the action as "affecting privacy negatively", focusing on the adverse impact.

compromise privacy

This indicates that privacy is being put at risk or weakened.

undermine privacy

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of privacy.

curtail privacy

Implies a reduction or limitation of privacy.

restrict privacy

Indicates that privacy is being subjected to certain limitations or controls.

limit privacy

A general term for placing boundaries or constraints on privacy.

FAQs

What does "impinge on privacy" mean?

The phrase "impinge on privacy" means to have a negative effect on or intrude upon someone's right to privacy. It suggests an unwanted or unwelcome interference.

What can I say instead of "impinge on privacy"?

You can use alternatives like "infringe on privacy", "encroach on privacy", or "violate privacy", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "impact on privacy" instead of "impinge on privacy"?

While "impact on privacy" is commonly used, "impinge on privacy" carries a stronger connotation of intrusion or violation. "Impact" is more neutral, while "impinge" suggests a negative and often unwelcome effect.

How do legal or policy changes "impinge on privacy"?

Legal or policy changes can "impinge on privacy" by granting authorities greater access to personal information, increasing surveillance, or weakening existing privacy protections.