Difference Between Privacy and Confidentiality

Table of Contents

Main Difference – Privacy vs Confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality deal with keeping information to oneself. Privacy refers to the state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people. Confidentiality is a state where certain information is kept secret. The main difference between privacy and confidentiality is that privacy is about people whereas confidentiality is about information.

What is Privacy

Privacy is the state of being away from public attention. Privacy is the desire to be secluded and to control the access of others to themselves.  It is also the desire to be secluded. Privacy is a personal choice. The word privacy is derived from the adjective private.

Privacy also refers to the state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people. Privacy is a right of every individual. A person will seek privacy if he or she desires to talk to another person in private, or if he wants to change his clothes. If someone doesn’t want his private information, photographs to be accessed by everyone, he or she will set the privacy in their social media profiles.

You might have also noticed how some celebrities don’t like to reveal their personal details. This is because they desire privacy. We should always respect a person’s request for privacy.

Difference Between Privacy and Confidentiality

What is Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a state where certain information is not disclosed and kept private. This information can be shared with authorized individuals only after authorization is provided.

The term confidentiality is often used in professional fields. In medical and legal professions, the information shared between the client and the doctor or lawyer is always confidential. Doctors or lawyers cannot disclose the information about their patients or clients without permission. Another example of confidential information is your ATM pin number and bank account number.

Main Difference - Privacy vs Confidentiality

Difference Between Privacy and Confidentiality

Definition

Privacy is the state of being away from public attention

Confidentiality is a state where certain information is kept secret.

Individual vs Information

Privacy is about individuals.

Confidentiality is about information.

Personal vs Professional

Privacy is personal choice.

Confidentiality is a professional obligation.

Right vs Agreement 

Privacy is a right.

Confidentiality is an agreement.

Restrictions

Privacy restricts the public from accessing personal data.

Confidentiality restricts unauthorized people from accessing confidential data.Difference Between Privacy and Confidentiality - infographic

Image Courtesy:

“Confidentiality…” by Thomas Leuthard (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

“Confidential” by Casey Marshall (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

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