Privacy / Vie privée



Fear of Disclosure of Personal Info
Posted by Susanna on February 24, 2004
It seems obvious that the fear of other people going through our personal belongings (including letters, emails, journals and other personal records) without our 'explicit permission' is the major invasion of privacy in America. This seems understandable because important personal info can sometimes be revealed in our random records. People who intend to do harm to the others can, therefore, use such information to assist them. In France, however, students seem to pay more attention to whether one's rights and principles are respected. Would this be due to a relatively smaller problem of frauds in France?

4th amendment
Posted by Jonathan on February 25, 2004
In the US one of our most protected rights is the right to privacy, contatined in the 4th amendment with the right not to be subjected to unnecessary unlawful searches and seizures. Is there a similar 'right' in France? Do the police need warrants before searching someone's home?

Intrusive questions
Posted by Felipe on February 26, 2004
On the French side, three students mention "indiscreet questions" as something that invades their privacy. I also noticed that one French student didn't complete the sentence related to "the most significant events in someone's life" saying that it was "personnel!!!". Is asking about significant events an indiscreet question? Can you give me more examples of indiscreet questions? Are French people particularly sensitive about being asked personal questions?

Warrants
Posted by Cyrille on February 26, 2004
Oui la police a besoin d'un mandat pour penetrer chez autrui. Seulement depuis peu, une nouvelle loi vient de passer donnant beaucoup plus de libertés a la police au sujet de l'ecoute telephonique, de l'espionnage et de la garde a vue

questions indiscretes
Posted by Cyrille on February 26, 2004
En france il ya enormement de tabou, comme les convictions religieuses et politiques, car certaines sont bannies par l'opinion publique. de plus les questions relatives a la vie conjugale sont aussi considérées comme indiscrète; car je ne sais si c'est la même chos chez vous, mais en france les situations familliales sont extremement compliquées car il y a beaucoup de divorces de famille mono parentale et les francais ne sont pas indiscret sur ces sujets

vision globale
Posted by frédérique on February 26, 2004
je pense que les américains ont donné beaucoup d'exemples assez précis sur ce que représentait l'atteinte à la vie privée. De notre côté nous avons une vision beaucoup plus globale de ces atteintes. En effet, je pense que nous sommes assez réservés et discrets en ce qui concerne notre vie privée....C'est une réserve qui vient sùrement de notre culture et de notre héritage de pensée. Les atteintes que vous avez mentionnez comme la fille qui vomit dans ton lit sont elles de l'humour ou de réelles craintes?

question
Posted by Jonathan on February 27, 2004
How do you react to the new laws increasing the powers of police? Do you think that the goverment is taking away your freedoms? Or do you think that it is what is best for the common good? Do any of you feel that the government is about to take a hostile takeover of all your rights? (there are such people here). What is more imporant to you: your freedoms/rights or your safety/culture? Here freedom is part of what defines our culture, our way of life.

"indiscrete" questions
Posted by Molly on February 28, 2004
Isn't the divorce rate in the states like 50% now or something? Or it might only be a third. I guess I wouldn't find it weird or "indiscrete" (that's such a funny word) to start a conversation with someone about religion or politics or family because these are things that every single person has in common---not necessarily what kind of religion or politics or family they might have, but the fact that they have them (well, with religion and politics even not having them counts, but whatever). With politics, it's so easy to start a conversation with, so what do you think about that new amendment they're trying to pass? And if you agree or disagree or whatever, it's still a way to get to know the person better and have a good conversation. Hey, isn't there some quote about that? Anyhow. And family is so easy... "when I was little, ..." and that naturally leads into what kinds of funny siblings you have or what kind of weird and crazy aunts and uncles... I guess I don't understand _why_ these topics would be taboo when it's so easy to start a natural conversation with them.