infringe privacy

USAGE SUMMARY

"infringe privacy" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe someone doing something intrusive or violating someone's right to privacy. For example: "The reality TV show featured intrusive cameras that infringed on the privacy of the people living in the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Moreover, it is precisely because the set of conditions under which it is reasonable and effective to infringe privacy rights recurs, that infringements of privacy rights by police can reasonably be legalised and institutionalised, e.g. by means of a warrant system.

SEP

"Publication of the story would infringe privacy rights of PJS, his partner and their children," he said.

The Guardian

The Communications Data Bill, as it is officially known, was blocked by the Liberal Democrats last year on the grounds that it would infringe privacy.

Independent

Drivers are so wedded to their cars that they will be deterred only by higher motoring costs or regulation.Critics claim that road pricing would merely displace traffic on to side roads, and that it would infringe privacy (because drivers' movements are recorded).

The Economist

He said: "Publication of the story would infringe privacy rights of PJS, his partner and their children … There is no public interest, however much it may be of interest to some members of the public, in publishing kiss'n'tell stories or criticisms of private sexual conduct, simply because the persons involved are well-known; and so there is no right to invade privacy by publishing them.

The Guardian

In addition, the camera-based method will infringe privacy; no one likes the feeling of being monitored by a camera all day long.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Give Mr Straw his civil wrong of infringing privacy.

The Economist

The European Parliament promptly lodged an appeal with the European Court on the grounds that the agreement infringed privacy rights and lacked an adequate legal basis.In its ruling on May 30th, the court upheld the second of those challenges.

The Economist

After sitting for more than five hours, the three-member tribunal unanimously declared today that Kostas Vaxevanis had not infringed privacy laws by publishing the personal data of those named on the so-called Lagarde list.

The Guardian

Given the relative youth of social media, it's hard to say exactly how growing up online could affect children but there are concerns around infringing privacy, safety and security (for example providing information that could be used by somebody to steal your child's identity), and leaving children open to bullying.

The Guardian

For another thing, torture is a far more dangerous practice than infringing privacy.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize that the privacy infringement might have legal or ethical consequences, use the more formal term "violate privacy".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "infringe privacy" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider using alternatives like "invade someone's privacy" or "pry into someone's personal life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infringe privacy" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action that violates or intrudes upon someone's right to privacy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infringe privacy" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe an act of violating someone's privacy rights. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used correctly and is appropriate in written English. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific discussions, and legal debates. Its function is to express concern over privacy violations, employing a neutral to formal register. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternative expressions like "invade privacy" might be more suitable. It's important to use "infringe privacy" accurately, especially when discussing sensitive ethical and legal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violate privacy

Uses a more direct verb, suggesting a clear breach.

breach privacy

Emphasizes the act of breaking through a boundary of privacy.

intrude on privacy

Highlights the act of entering or interfering with someone's private space.

encroach on privacy

Suggests a gradual and subtle intrusion.

invade privacy

Implies a forceful and unwanted entry into someone's private life.

compromise privacy

Focuses on the result of making privacy less secure.

curtail privacy

Highlights the act of reducing or limiting privacy.

limit privacy

Focuses on setting boundaries around privacy.

restrict privacy

Suggests imposing rules or regulations on privacy.

jeopardize privacy

Emphasizes the risk or danger to someone's privacy.

FAQs

What does "infringe privacy" mean?

"Infringe privacy" means to intrude upon or violate someone's right to privacy. It suggests an action that oversteps the boundaries of what is considered private and personal.

How can I use "infringe privacy" in a sentence?

You can use "infringe privacy" to describe actions that violate someone's right to privacy, such as "The new surveillance law could "infringe privacy" rights of citizens".

What are some alternatives to "infringe privacy"?

Alternatives to "infringe privacy" include "violate privacy", "breach privacy", and "intrude on privacy". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it acceptable to "infringe privacy"?

In certain situations, such as law enforcement with a warrant or national security concerns, infringing on someone's privacy might be deemed acceptable or necessary. However, these situations are typically subject to legal and ethical scrutiny.