'What human rights law has done is to identify private information as something worth protecting as an aspect of human autonomy and dignity. And this recognition has raised inescapably the question of why it should be worth protecting against the state but not against a private person.'

Lord Hoffmann in Campbell v MGN Ltd [2004] UKHL 22; [2004] 2 AC 457.

Critically consider the extent to which the law of tort currently deems private information to be worthy of protection against violations by private persons and the media.