privacy, right of

1. The doctrine, advanced by the Supreme Court most notably in , that the Constitution implicitly guarantees protection against activities that invade citizens' privacy. The Constitution does not explicitly mention a right of privacy, but the First Amendment 's (see also First Amendment ) protection of free speech, the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” the Ninth Amendment's reference to “other” rights, the Court has ruled, imply a right of privacy. This doctrine exemplifies broad construction . ( See .)