UN makes right to privacy a priority.

• Position: PRIVACY - United Nations - Brief article

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has elevated the right to privacy and the freedom from excessive surveillance to a priority by appointing a privacy expert or rapporteur. This landmark decision, announced in March, is in direct response to the Edward Snowden leaks of U.S. National Security Agency surveillance information.

Although the right to privacy has long been part of international law, until now it has been low on the UN's list of priorities.

The rapporteur, expected to be appointed in June, will monitor, investigate, and report on privacy issues to the UNHRC. He or she will also advise governments on compliance and look into alleged violations, reported The Guardian.

The resolution...