What does Communications Privacy encompass?

Communications privacy encompasses the protection of the means of correspondence, which refers to ensuring that individuals' communications—whether they occur through telephone calls, emails, text messages, or other forms of communication—are kept confidential and secure from unauthorized access. This concept underscores the importance of maintaining the privacy of communications and recognizing an individual’s right to communicate without undue surveillance or intrusion.

By focusing on protecting the means of correspondence, communications privacy also involves establishing legal frameworks and best practices that safeguard user data across various communication channels, taking into account both emerging technologies and traditional methods of communication. This broader protection includes not only the physical contents of the communication but also the associated metadata, emphasizing the importance of privacy in maintaining trust and enabling free expression in society.