Reviews:
-"This admirably produced encyclopedia is highly recommended for academic and public libraries."
—American Reference Books Annual
-"This work discusses the issues and controversies regarding privacy in the U.S. Arranged alphabetically, the encyclopedia covers 226 topics, including Atomatic teller machine, Credit rating, Electronic surveillance, Gossip, and Two-way mirrors, to name only a few. The entries range from a few paragraphs (Password protection) to several pages (Philosophical foundations of privacy), and each one includes a bibliography and cross-references. Topical and alphabetical lists of entries enhance the reference value of this volume. Especially useful are the numerous entries on court cases, with superb bibliographic references. The contributors are mostly law professors or other faculty and graduate students knowledgeable on the wide range of privacy issues....[t]his work is an outstanding source containing many hard-to-find topics and bibliographic references....[h]ighly recommended."
—Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
-"This two-volume encyclopedia compiled by Staples explores cultural, social, and legal issues of privacy in the contemporary United States. The 226 alphabetical entries range from brief technical explanations of various technologies to extended meditations on, for example, the philosophical foundations of privacy. Coverage includes key concepts, events, legal cases and laws, organizations, technological developments, major figures, and ethical debates. In making his selections, Staples sought to ensure that different perspectives were included, especially those concerned with gender....A chronology of select events precedes the entries and the second volume concludes with a subject index and a resource guide to books, websites, organization, and films."
—Reference & Research Book News