The Seven Veils of Privacy

'O'Hara gives us a refreshingly provocative, learned, distinctive and lively book about privacy that will stimulate important debates. The vast, unwieldy body of privacy scholarship is seen through new lenses, bringing seven different levels of privacy discourse into focus. Each one veils the meaning of privacy, but all contribute to a new framework that helps to make sense of the supposed chaos of this subject. Illustrative discussions of seven important privacy topics and debates are related to the sevenfold framework. O'Hara's examples and personal style keep the reader in mind along the intricate trail of de (or re)constructive analysis, and a fascinating conclusion affords important insights into privacy by refracting the analysis through the COVID-19 pandemic experience.' Charles Raab, Professor Emeritus, University of Edinburgh 'An impressively thorough and systematic - but always accessible - analysis. O'Hara sorts and sifts the different claims for what is and what is not privacy . O Privacy, what crimes are committed in thy name! But O'Hara! What fun you've had finding a way through the muddles and misunderstandings to establish a common language for discussing privacy. I wish I'd had access to Kieron O'Hara's excellent survey when I started out as UK Information Commissioner back in 2009. O'Hara's razor should help us to approach debates around public policy on their own merits, avoiding using privacy as a mere label either to support or oppose particular causes or proposals. Christopher Graham, UK Information Commissioner, 2009-16 -- .