The continual tension between what is of interest to the public and what is in the public interest to know has never been more talked about. With cases such as Zeta-Jones, the Prince of Wales, Naomi Campbell, Sebastian Coe and the media focus on the antics of footballers and those appearing on reality TV shows - the public’s appetite has indeed been whetted.
Add to this an increased use of technology for monitoring the activities of employees and customers to detect and guard against illegal, unlawful and unacceptable behaviour - it is, perhaps, not surprising that individuals are now demanding an enshrined and enforceable right to privacy and little wonder that competing interests of rights to know and freedom of expression have led to a body of new law.
We advise individuals and businesses on the spectrum of privacy issues including:
privacy protection. Advising individuals on protecting their privacy against media and corporate intrusion; advising on Press Complaints Commission Code
image protection and exploitation. Protection of personal images; image rights agreements; protection against unwanted image exploitation
human rights. Advice on rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and domestic human rights law
monitoring and surveillance. Guidance on rights to monitor and carry out covert surveillance
confidentiality. Advising on rights to confidentiality; anonymisation and pseudononymisation of information; breach of confidence claims; obtaining lawful access to confidential information
privacy enhancing technologies (PETs). Guidance on use and implementation of effective technology tools for safeguarding privacy
policies and procedures. Preparing staff policies and effective procedures for the lawful gathering, use and disclosure of personal and confidential information and audio and visual materials
training. Providing bespoke training sessions on the collection, use and perils of misuse of ‘private’ information