Is confidentiality an absolute term

Answer 1

In general, confidentiality is not an absolute term. It is relative. There are things that only you know. Just you and no one else. Relative to another or others, that information is "confidential" in that use. You alone hold the knowledge. And there are groups of people working with "secret" information, like intelligence material, where the group has access to it, but "outsiders" don't. The information is "confidential" and those without security clearance are excluded from the "confidentiality" circle imposed by the "agency" involved. And access can be change to include others. The "confidentiality" of the information is relative; a small or a larger group can have access to it. We usually don't see confidentiality as an absolute term. And in the case of the latter use, there are always those who want "in" on the knowledge (and will use covert means to access it!), though they are deliberately excluded. About the only use of confidentiality as an absolute term is where it is applied to a security clearance given to an individual. There is a "standard" or "absolute" measure of what can be shared and with whom. An individual who crosses the line (and is caught) can expect trouble.

Answer 2

Confidentiality is not always absolute. In some situations, such as when there are legal or ethical obligations, confidentiality may need to be breached. It is important to understand the specific context and regulations surrounding confidentiality in each situation.