Which definition accurately describes a privacy breach?

The definition that accurately describes a privacy breach is centered on the unauthorized aspects concerning personal information. A privacy breach occurs when there is unauthorized access, collection, use, or disclosure of personal information. This encompasses a range of activities that compromise an individual's privacy rights and can lead to significant harm, such as identity theft or loss of control over personal information.

By explicitly mentioning "unauthorized access, collection, use or disclosure," this definition captures the essence of what constitutes a breach, highlighting the imperative that personal data must be handled with proper consent and care. Understanding this definition is essential for privacy compliance, as it underscores the critical nature of safeguarding personal information in accordance with privacy laws and regulations.

The other definitions do not fully encompass the breadth of what a privacy breach involves, as they either limit the scope (such as referring only to public data or internal sharing) or suggest a situation where permissions are granted, which does not align with the concept of a breach.