Can the government stick us with privacy we don't want? It can, it does, and according to Anita L. Allen, it may need to do more of it. Privacy is a foundational good, Allen argues, a necessary tool in the liberty-lover's kit for a successful life. A nation committed to personal freedom must be prepared to mandate privacy protections for its people, whether they eagerly embrace them or not. This unique book draws attention to privacies of seclusion, concealment, confidentiality and data-protection undervalued by their intended beneficiaries and targets--and outlines the best reasons for imposing them. Allen looks at laws designed to keep website operators from collecting personal information, laws that force strippers to wear thongs, and the myriad employee and professional confidentiality rules--including insider trading laws--that require strict silence about matters whose disclosure could earn us small fortunes. She shows that such laws recognize the extraordinary importance
of dignity, trust and reputation, helping to preserve social, economic and political options throughout a lifetime.
Industry Reviews
"This is a wonderful book, written by a prolific legal scholar and staunch privacy advocate who adds a provocative and unique perspective to the theoretical work on privacy. Allen writes with legal expertise but she is also well grounded in the philosophical literature, giving one of the most complete and detailed summaries of past defenses of privacy and its value."--Judith Wager DeCew, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"[Allen] writes in easy to follow language; the book has limited references to legal terms of art, all of which are fully explained for the non-legal reader. The discussions regarding the noncomprehensiveness of US laws, in comparison to those of EU and Canada, allow the reader to delve further into the philosophical issues. The book is written for nonspecialists; the breadth of coverage provides readers with further avenues of research. It is a great starting
point for students just learning about privacy as well as for those who have extensively read about privacy. Highly recommended."--CHOICE
"In this beautifully written book, Anita Allen draws on rich traditions in legal and political philosophy, case law, and feminist theory to argue that privacy should be treated not only as a choice but a need. With its incomparably rich vista of past and contemporary privacy theory and a refined appreciation of challenges from information technology and digital media this book reinforces Allen's leadership in privacy law and scholarship." --Helen Nissenbaum,
New York University
"We live in a world of increasing exposure, and privacy is increasingly imperiled by the torrent of information being released online. In this powerful book, Anita Allen examines when the law should mandate privacy and when it shouldn't. With nuance and thoughtfulness, Allen bravely tackles some of the toughest questions about privacy law -- those involving the appropriate level of legal paternalism. Unpopular Privacy is lively, engaging, and provocative. It is
filled with vivid examples, complex and fascinating issues, and thought-provoking ideas." --Daniel Solove, George Washington University Law School
"Challenging privacy's strongest advocates and its harshest critics, Anita Allen casts a contrarian's eye on contemporary celebration of openness, freedom of expression, and personal choices about privacy. In this important book, Allen weaves a nuanced account of when physical and informational privacy are so foundational that liberal societies should impose them unwanted-and when these same societies should interfere to protect people from privacy that
coerces." --Leslie Francis, University of Utah
"An insightful, provocative, and brave book. Long our leading philosopher of privacy, Anita Allen calls for the government to protect 'foundational privacy'--even in some cases when the intended party feels otherwise. Unpopular Privacy also contains fascinating discussions of racial privacy, electronic privacy law, and the Internet's culture of self-disclosure." --Paul M. Schwartz, Berkeley Law School, Berkeley Center for Law & Technology
