RIGHT TO PRIVACY

Abstract

Right to privacy is a bundle of rights. According to Black’s Law Dictionary ‘right to privacy’ is a general term consisting of several rights which are recognized as inherent in the concept of liberty, and further such rights which  prevent government interference in personal activities or relationship’s, freedoms of individual to make fundamental choices involving himself and his relationship with others. The right to privacy thus has been understood to protect a private space in which man may remain and become himself. Privacy has many aspects; some may come under as fundamental right, some may not. It may be interpreted as an epitome of liberty; however notion of privacy seems to larger than even liberty at some instances. Almost every country in the world identifies a right of privacy explicitly in their Constitution. In many of the countries where privacy is not explicitly identified in the Constitution, such as the United States, Ireland and India; the courts have found that right in some other provisions. Right to privacy gains importance in present scenario where the biometric or Adhaar ID removes duplicity or fake IDs and therefore, is a great instrument to benefit people who live on margins through government welfare related schemes. The present research paper explores the legitimacy and extent for right to privacy in changed technological scenario, at a time when biometrics and identity data is being stored for multipurpose uses including search and surveillance.