PrivatsphäreBeschränkungen

Privatsphäre, or privacy, refers to the state or condition of an individual in which personal information, activities, and autonomy are shielded from unwanted intrusions by others, including the state, organizations, and individuals. It encompasses several dimensions, including informational privacy (control over data about oneself), physical privacy (freedom from intrusion into home and personal space), and communications privacy (confidentiality of conversations and correspondence).

Historically, privacy has been shaped by legal traditions and constitutional protections. In Germany and the European Union, privacy rights are anchored in constitutional guarantees and data protection laws, notably the right to informational self-determination recognized by the German Federal Constitutional Court, and EU frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national implementations like the Bundesdatenschutzgesetz (BDSG).

In practice, privacy is affected by digital technologies. Data collection through online services, sensors, location tracking, and surveillance raises questions about consent, necessity, and proportionality. Privacy-enhancing technologies—encryption, anonymization, minimal data collection, and privacy by design—are promoted to mitigate risks. Organizations are encouraged to provide transparent privacy notices and robust data protection measures.

Debates around privacy balance individual autonomy with social interests such as security, public health, and commerce. The growth of surveillance capitalism, data brokers, and cross-border data transfers highlight tensions between personal rights and innovation. Legal regimes continue to evolve to address new capabilities while preserving fundamental rights.

See also: data protection, GDPR, privacy by design, informational self-determination.