United Nations. Human rights / constitutional. Declaration (UN General Assembly resolution 217 A (III))

UDHR Art 12Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 12

In force

§1Summary

Synopsis

Article 12 says no one may be subjected to arbitrary interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence, and that everyone is entitled to legal protection against such interference. It is a declaration rather than a treaty, but it is the starting point for privacy as an international human right.

Key themes

right to privacy
correspondence
reputation
protection of the law

Unique features

Not legally binding in itself, though many of its provisions are treated as customary international law. Every later privacy instrument, from the ECHR to the ICCPR, builds on this text.

SaaS relevance

Gives no direct obligations to a SaaS business; it is useful as the human rights background for policies and DPIAs.

§2Obligations

Breach notification: None
DPO: No
Cross-border transfers: None
Maximum penalty: None

§3Dates

Key dates

Adopted 10 December 1948
In force 10 December 1948
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948

§4Text and authority

Text

Authoritative text un.org

Authority

None designated

§5Where it applies

Members of the body

Membership-based — check ratification status. Membership of United Nations does not mean a state has signed or ratified this instrument.

§6Sources and verification

Sources consulted

Verification

High confidence.

The CIPP/E project holds a copy (1948UDHR.pdf).