Denial of right to confidentiality

Nature

Denial of right to confidentiality refers to the violation of an individual’s or group’s entitlement to keep personal, sensitive, or privileged information private. This problem arises when unauthorized parties access, disclose, or misuse such information without consent, often resulting in harm, discrimination, or loss of trust. Denial of confidentiality undermines legal, ethical, and professional standards in fields such as healthcare, law, and counseling. It can deter individuals from seeking help or sharing information, thereby impeding justice, effective care, and personal security. Addressing this issue is crucial for protecting privacy and upholding human rights.

Background

The denial of the right to confidentiality emerged as a global concern in the mid-20th century, particularly with the expansion of state surveillance and data collection. Landmark cases and international debates in the 1970s and 1980s, such as those surrounding medical and legal privacy, highlighted the vulnerability of personal information. Growing digitalization in the 21st century further intensified awareness, prompting international organizations to address confidentiality as a fundamental human rights issue.

Incidence

Denial of the right to confidentiality affects millions globally, spanning sectors such as healthcare, legal services, and digital communications. Breaches of confidential information can lead to discrimination, loss of trust, and psychological harm, with vulnerable populations—such as patients, whistleblowers, and journalists—being particularly at risk. The proliferation of digital data and inadequate legal protections in many countries have exacerbated the frequency and scale of such violations, making this a persistent and growing concern worldwide.
In 2023, a major incident occurred in the United Kingdom when the National Health Service (NHS) accidentally leaked sensitive patient data to unauthorized recipients. This breach exposed confidential medical information, sparking public outcry and investigations into systemic failures in data protection protocols.

Claim

The denial of the right to confidentiality is a grave violation that undermines trust, dignity, and personal security. Without confidentiality, individuals are exposed to exploitation, discrimination, and psychological harm. This breach erodes the foundation of professional relationships and deters people from seeking help or expressing themselves freely. Protecting confidentiality is not optional—it is essential for justice, equality, and a functioning society. Ignoring this right is both dangerous and unacceptable.

Counter-claim

The so-called “denial of right to confidentiality” is vastly overstated and hardly a pressing issue. In today’s interconnected world, transparency and information sharing are far more valuable than clinging to outdated notions of privacy. Most people willingly share personal details online, and the supposed harms of lost confidentiality are minimal compared to the benefits of open communication. Frankly, this is not an important problem and deserves little attention.