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Rights Protected

A right to privacy extends to the following areas:

marriage
procreation
contraception
abortion
motherhood
child rearing
education
familial relationships
medical decisions and treatment
financial information
politics
communications
personal records and documents
first-class mail

The breadth of the privacy right may be different depending on the area. In some cases, the government has a compelling interest in a matter generally considered private. For example, the IRS is permitted to require and examine an individual's financial information for the purpose of tax returns. States may make and maintain birth and death records.