Invasion of Privacy

Question 1

Prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on publication by defendant of facts placing plaintiff in a false light

Answer 1

To establish a prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on publication by the defendant of facts placing the plaintiff in a false light, the plaintiff must prove the following elements:

1. publication of facts about the plaintiff by defendant placing plaintiff in a false light in the public eye; and
2. the false light must be something that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person under the circumstances.

Question 2

Prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on intrusion upon seclusion

Answer 2

To establish a prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on intrusion upon plaintiff’s affairs or seclusion, the plaintiff must show:

1. an act of prying or intruding on the affairs or seclusion of plaintiff by defendant;
2. the intrusion must be something that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person; and
3. the thing to which there is an intrusion or prying must be private.

Question 3

Prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on public disclosure of private facts

Answer 3

To establish a prima facie case for invasion of privacy based on public disclosure of private facts, the plaintiff must show:

1. publication or public disclosure of private information about the plaintiff; and
2. the matter made public is such that its disclosure. would be highly offensive to a reasonable person