A Computer Invasion of Privacy is the breach of knowledge or critical information of a person without informing them. It is a legal term and a criminal act against the law.
It is defined as a circumstance where an individual or organisation knowingly intrudes upon a person. This intrusion occurs when a person can expect privacy, such as in a bathroom or locker room. It is defined as a tort.
It also encompasses a wide range of activities that violate an individual’s right to keep their personal data secure and confidential. From hacking into email accounts and social media profiles to intercepting sensitive financial transactions online, these invasions can cause significant harm both personally and financially.
Types of Computer Invasion of Privacy
Deception is a type of Invasion of Privacy. When an employer collects information for one reason but uses it for another reason, it could result in termination. Invasion of Privacy consists of Violation of Confidentiality also. This happens when information is given to a third party.
Internet privacy is another Computer privacy that needs to be kept in mind. It involves the right of personal privacy related to storing, providing to third parties, or displaying some critical information. This type of privacy is applied to small- and large-scale data sharing.
Internet privacy is somewhat a subset of data privacy. Sometimes companies are hired to track the information about which people visit the website. They send a user’s web history to the advertising company. They even try to use social media to collect bank and credit card information on various websites.
The penalty for Computer Invasion of Privacy
India has established the Information Technology Act of 2000 to deal with privacy violations that occur through computer systems. The law imposes criminal penalties on anyone who records or shares images of private body parts without permission through Section 66E, which establishes prison terms of up to three years, together with fines that can reach ₹2 lakh. The law includes additional provisions that address identity theft and cyber fraud under sections 66C and 66D to establish legal consequences for unauthorised data usage.
In the United States, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) criminalises unauthorised computer access. The law establishes different punishment levels based on the nature of the offence because it imposes monetary fines and year-long jail terms for common breaches, yet extends prison durations and increases financial consequences for offences that threaten national security and involve identity theft. The Personal Data Privacy and Security Act creates additional rules that establish tougher penalties for hiding or using personal information wrongfully.
The European Union maintains strict data protection policies through its General Data Protection Regulation, which operates as the GDPR. Severe violations of privacy and data protection lead to two possible penalty amounts, which either reach €20 million or 4% of the corporation’s worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. The authority will issue fines that reach €10 million or 2% of worldwide revenue for minor breaches. The regulations show that the European Union maintains a strong dedication to protecting personal data.
The United Kingdom protects computer system access through the Computer Misuse Act, which became law in 1990. The law imposes two-year prison sentences or monetary fines for basic unauthorised access, but it increases penalties to five years for unauthorised access that leads to additional criminal conduct. The United Kingdom views cyber intrusion as a severe offence which results in criminal penalties of up to ten years for actions that disrupt computer systems.
Also Read: How to Speed Up Your Computer Without Spending a Penny
Tips to safeguard personal information
Creating secure, one-of-a-kind passwords for each of your online accounts is one way to avoid digital invasion of privacy. Avoid utilising terms or phrases that are simple to guess. Choose a combination of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters instead. As an additional security measure, implement two-factor authentication wherever possible.
Being cautious while disclosing personal information online is an additional precaution. Be careful what you publish on social networking platforms, and refrain from making private information like your full name, home address, cell phone number, or financial information available to the public. Additionally, it’s crucial to exercise caution when submitting personal information on websites or in response to email requests by first checking the legitimacy of the request.
By following these tips and adopting good cybersecurity practices overall, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of computer invasion of privacy and protect their valuable personal data from falling into the wrong hands.
