Federal Court Rules Invasion of Privacy

Key point 4-04. Many states recognize "invasion of privacy" as a basis for liability. Invasion of privacy may consist of any one or more of the following: (1) public disclosure of private facts; (2) use of another person's name or likeness; (3) placing someone in a "false light" in the public eye; or (4) intruding upon another's seclusion.

A federal court in New Jersey ruled that an employer may have invaded the privacy of an employee by accessing her Facebook account without permission. A registered nurse and paramedic (the "plaintiff") worked for an emergency response company. She alleged that her employer retaliated against her as a result of her union activities. She maintained an account on Facebook, a social networking website. If someone was not invited to be her Facebook "friend," he or she could not access and view postings on her Facebook "wall." Many of her coworkers were invited ...