BREACH OF CONFIDENTIALITY Meaning and
Definition
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Breach of confidentiality refers to the unauthorized disclosure or sharing of confidential or sensitive information to third parties without the explicit consent or authorization of the individual or organization to whom the information belongs. It involves the violation of an agreement or duty to protect and maintain the privacy of certain private or classified information entrusted to an individual or organization.
In legal terms, breach of confidentiality occurs when there is a breach of an express or implied promise to keep information private, resulting in the exposure or dissemination of sensitive information that was intended to be withheld from others. This breach can occur in various scenarios, such as when an employee shares confidential company information with a competitor, a healthcare professional discloses a patient's medical records without consent, or a lawyer divulges privileged client information.
The consequences of breaching confidentiality can be significant and can vary depending on the nature of the information disclosed and the jurisdiction in which the breach occurred. It can lead to legal and financial repercussions, loss of trust, damage to reputation, and harm to individuals or organizations whose private information has been exposed.
To prevent breaches of confidentiality, individuals and organizations need to establish and enforce robust security measures, including confidentiality agreements, data protection policies, secure storage processes, and staff training on handling sensitive information. This helps ensure the privacy and protection of confidential information and maintains the trust of the parties involved.
