Privacy tort: which is recognized under federal law but not recognized in New York?

• A. Misappropriation
• B. Intrusion
• C. Disclosure
• D. False light

Answer: (D)

False light invasion of privacy is the form of privacy protection that federal courts have recognized, protecting someone from being depicted in a misleading or highly offensive way. The harm is to how the person is presented to the public, not just whether a statement is true or false. New York does not recognize a separate false light claim as a standalone cause of action; when a false light-like issue arises, it’s usually chased through defamation or related claims rather than a distinct privacy tort. The other privacy torts—intrusion upon seclusion, disclosure of private facts, and misappropriation of name or likeness—are recognized under New York law, so they don’t fit the description of a federal-recognized but non-New York-recognized tort.