Invasion of privacy is best described as:

Invasion of privacy is best described as the sharing of private, personal information without consent because it encompasses the idea that individuals have a right to control their own personal information. This concept is critical in healthcare, where patient confidentiality is paramount. When private details about a person’s health or personal life are shared without their explicit consent, it constitutes a violation of that individual's privacy rights.

This understanding is reinforced by legal frameworks, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets strict guidelines regarding the handling of personal health information. The essence of privacy in healthcare hinges on the expectation that private information will be safeguarded and only disclosed with permission or under specific circumstances dictated by law.

The other options, while related to privacy issues, do not capture the core principle of invasion of privacy as effectively. Exposing public figures to criticism pertains to defamation and freedom of speech, the illegal procurement of private financial records relates more to fraud and data breach laws, and public discussion of licensed health professionals touches on professional ethics and accountability rather than the personal privacy of individuals. Therefore, focusing on the unauthorized sharing of private information clearly aligns with the legal and ethical definitions of invasion of privacy.