privatumas

Privatumas is a concept referring to the state or condition of being free from public attention or interference, and to the right of individuals to control access to information about themselves. It encompasses the protection of personal space, communications, and data from intrusion. The term is used in legal, ethical, and everyday contexts to describe both a subjective sense of seclusion and the legal protections that limit others’ intrusion into a person’s life.

In practice, privatumas has several dimensions: physical privacy (privacy of space, home, and person), informational privacy (control over personal data and disclosures), decisional privacy (freedom to make personal life choices), and communications privacy (protection of private correspondence and communications from interception). The concept is closely tied to autonomy and dignity and is viewed as essential to personal development and freedom.

Legal frameworks recognize privatumas as a fundamental right in many jurisdictions. International instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights address privacy, as do regional frameworks like the European Convention on Human Rights. In Europe, data privacy is further regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national laws, which establish rights such as consent, access, rectification, erasure, data portability, and purpose limitation. Organizations are expected to implement data minimization, security measures, and transparent privacy notices.

Contemporary challenges include pervasive digital tracking, surveillance, and data analytics that can erode privacy. Remedies include privacy-by-design practices, encryption, anonymization, and clear regulatory oversight. Cultural and political differences influence how societies balance privatumas with security, transparency, and public interest.