Proposition 11, sometimes known as the "Privacy Initiative" or the "Right to Privacy Initiative", was a ballot initiative to amend the constitution of the state of California to include privacy as an inalienable right to citizens in "Article 1: Declaration of Rights" of the constitution.
The Proposition was co-authored by California State Assemblyman Kenneth Cory (D-Garden Grove) and California State Senator George Moscone (D-San Francisco) as a protective measure against government agencies collecting personal information from citizens.[1] Assemblyman Cory also expressed specific concern for privacy due to the potential threat that new technology had on compromising privacy.[1] Opponents of the measure argued that such an initiative was unnecessary since the courts and State Legislature already had the power to address issues of privacy.[1]
On November 7, 1972, the proposition overwhelmingly passed and consequently resulted in explicit references to privacy in the California State Constitution.[2]
Subsequently, Supreme Court of California decisions have used this enumerated right to grant additional rights beyond those of the California Constitution. Abortion restrictions[3] and occupancy rules that required blood relations for residents in single family zoned homes[4] were struck down under Proposition 11's guarantee to privacy, as well as discovery regarding a sexual harassment victim's sexual history and drug tests of college athletes.[5]