The article deals with the problems of protecting the right to privacy, in terms of violation of the confidentiality of information and responsibility for these violations. In the era of the global development of the information society, the introduction of digital technologies, issues related to ensuring the security of the individual, respect for freedoms and legitimate interests, as well as guarantees for the exercise of constitutional and other rights of citizens, are becoming increasingly important. Holding accountable for violating the regime of confidentiality of information about private life, including in the information sphere, is an integral component of the legal protection of information, access to which is limited. Despite the lack of legislative consolidation of the definition of legal liability, there are various approaches in legal science that consider the legal essence, types of liability, the analysis of which is given in this article. In this regard, a number of problems have been identified and considered. The features caused by a wide subject structure are investigated. A separate place is occupied by the history of the development of legislation in this area in Russia and foreign countries. Particular attention is paid to various types and features of the application of legal liability.