What does the term “yellow journalism” mean? And where can its current forms be found today?
A rise in the circulation of newspapers and rise of sensualistic journalism that covered topics like scandals, family squabbles, public drunkenness, and petty crimes
Current forms of "yellow journalism" can be found in tabloids and social media
What new technology led to the increasing awareness of privacy law?
Instantaneous photography
Where were Warren & Brandeis from when they wrote the article?
Boston, MA
What is the difference between Warren & Brandeis’s article from Godkin’s?
Warren & Brandeis actually break down the law to look at possible solutions
What kind of law did Warren & Brandeis look at to see if a breach of privacy already had remedies?
Defamation (slander and libel) and contracts
How can contract law protect privacy interests?
Through express or implied provisions preventing collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, or through implied duties within certain relationships.
What remedies did Warren & Brandeis propose for invasions of privacy?
(1) An action in tort for damages in all cases
(2) in very limited cases, injunctions.
How does criminal law protect privacy?
Through prohibitions on bodily invasions (assault and battery), privacy of the home (trespass), stalking and harassment, and blackmail.
What additional torts, outside William Prosser’s four, often protect privacy-related interests?
Breach of confidentiality, defamation (libel/slander), and intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED)
According to the Restatement (Second) of Torts, what is required for a claim of public disclosure of private facts?
Disclosure of private information that is highly offensive to a reasonable person and not of legitimate public concern
Give multiple examples of how property law protects privacy.
Trespass protects the privacy of the home and land by prohibiting unauthorized physical intrusions.
T or F: International laws and norms as to data privacy affect the way the US deals with privacy
True
Why are libel and slander not applicable remedies for a violation of privacy?
Slander/libel requires that the plaintiff show that what the defendant said is false and has caused damage to their reputation. An invasion of privacy can still occur if what the defendant said is damaging to the plaintiff's reputation, but also true.
At the time of Warren & Brandeis’s article, why didn’t the current law provide protections?
Contracts used to be formed when people set up for a photo (more went into it) now if can be done without the persons permission; There does not need to be defamation for there to still be an invasion of privacy
What four distinct privacy torts did William Prosser identify?
(100 for each correct answer)
(1) Intrusion on plaintiff’s seclusion or solitude or into private affairs
(2) Public disclosure of embarrassing private facts about plaintiff
(3) Publicity which places plaintiff in false light in public eye
(4) Appropriation for defendant’s advantage of plaintiff’s name or likeness.
Name four amendments that don’t specifically mention privacy but have provisions that protect privacy and have been interpreted as providing a right to privacy.
The 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th amendments
What test did Katz v. United States establish under the Fourth Amendment?
The “reasonable expectation of privacy” test: (1) a person must exhibit an actual (subjective) expectation of privacy, and (2) the expectation must be one that society is prepared to recognize as reasonable.
What are the six limitations Warren & Brandeis suggest putting on the right to privacy?
(100 for each correct answer, min one max six)
Not all laws/statues that have been put in place have been to protect privacy. A big one many of us know is the PATRIOT Act. Explain what this act does.
More government sharing of information, trying to combat terrorism, set up after 9/11, changed electronic surveillance statutes
Name areas of the law where the government has passed laws protecting privacy.
Healthcare (HIPAA), school records, work product of media, credit reports and other financial docs, right to see one's own government records, etc.