The Concept of Privacy: Is Privacy Still a Useful Concept?

Abstract

This paper considers the origins of the concept of privacy, its evolution into what is currently termed ‘privacy’ and its application. This paper examines whether privacy has ever been useful, remains useful or will have future usefulness in ‘human rights’, ‘medicine’, ‘big data’ and the ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ contexts. Particular focus will be on United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), as part of the European Union (EU) where necessary.

Keywords: Privacy; Concept of Privacy; Privacy as Human Right; Privacy and Confidentiality; Big Data; IoT; Internet of Things; GDPR; Data Protection Act

JEL Classification: KOO, K10, K19, K32, K33, K38, K39, I18