Ralph Nader v. General Motors Corporation

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division's denial of General Motors' motion to dismiss the first two invasion of privacy claims, holding that the pleadings sufficiently alleged actionable intrusions under District of Columbia law, particularly unauthorized wiretapping and potentially over‑zealous surveillance. The court clarified that other alleged conduct—interviews, harassing calls, and entrapment—does not constitute a privacy invasion, though they may support an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim. Justice Breitel filed a concurring opinion agreeing with the result but urging restraint in analyzing individual allegations at the pleading stage.