Privacy violations occur when an individual's personal information is accessed, used, or disclosed without their consent. This can happen through various means, such as unauthorized data collection, hacking, or sharing information without permission. Common examples include identity theft and the misuse of social media data. These violations can lead to significant consequences for individuals, including financial loss, emotional distress, and damage to reputation. Laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), aim to protect personal information and ensure that individuals have control over their data.