WorldSeptember 3, 2026

eavesdropping

EEVZ-drop-ing

Definition

The act of secretly listening to or intercepting private communications without the consent of the participants.

Etymology

The word originated in the 17th century from the practice of standing under the 'eaves' of a house to listen to conversations inside, combining 'eaves' (the overhanging edge of a roof) and 'drop' (referring to water falling from the eaves).

In the news

In this article, the term describes the core allegation made by plaintiffs against businesses, claiming that website tracking tools like cookies act as illegal surveillance devices to intercept user activity.

Trapped and Traced No More - SB 690 Will Stem Tidal Wave of California Invasion of Privacy Claims

Read the full article ↗

JD Supra

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