The Right to Privacy

"The Right to Privacy," an influential article published in the Harvard Law Review in 1890 by Louis Brandeis and Samuel Warren, introduces the argument for an inherent right to privacy, defined as the "right to be left alone." Triggered by the rise of instantaneous photography and sensationalist news, the article critiques existing legal protections like libel and slander, ultimately aiming to define privacy and its limitations. Although brief, this foundational work remains pertinent today amidst evolving technologies and increased surveillance, challenging the boundaries of personal data and individual rights.