Does the impact of privacy violation differ if......?

Question

the policy is implemented by a government or by a corporation? In other words, what upsets people more, privacy invasion by government or by a corporation?

Answer 1

I would rank 'em in this order, from worst to least objectionable:

Invasion of privacy by a corporation, without direct consent: For instance, buying info from brokers, data mining, and other methods, to build profiles on individuals.

Invasion of privacy by the gov't, without direct consent: Pretty much just as bad, but I distrust our Corporate Masters slightly more than I distrust Big Government.

Invasion of privacy by the gov't, with notification: At least I know what's going on, but I feel that much of this goes against the spirit of the Constitution and the founding philosophies of our country.

Invasion of privacy by corporations, with notification: Still upsetting, but being private institutions they are not bound by Constitutional restrictions and can set any conditions they wish upon doing business with someone, so I can't really complain too much.

Answer 2

Well, violation of certain privacy rights by the government is also a constitutional violation. Violation of those rights by a corporation may or may not even be breaking the law, because the constitution does not generally protect against private action, only govt action.

So, to me it does matter whether any laws were broken.

Answer 3

I don't get it......huh?