Confidentiality (glossary entry)
Confidentiality is to be distinguished from secrecy. Common dictionary definitions mention both, for example:
confidential adj. private, secret, marked by intimacy or willingness to confide; entrusted with confidence
In particular, those last words entrusted with confidence refer to the fact that information has been given or shared by someone who trusts the other party, and is confident that the information will be used honorably.
Secrecy is a simpler concept, it just means that something is known by one party and not by another.
Confidentiality refers to secrecy applied to a limited extent or for specific purposes. In general, the purpose is to prevent harm or damage of some kind. In other words, confidentiality is a way to accomplish security. These three things (secrecy, security, and confidentiality) are often conflated to deleterious effect.
Informal Oath of Confidentiality for Meetings
Often men in MDI and similar groups wish to establish an agreement to respect confidentiality at a meeting. Typically they ask everyone to agree to a "Vegas rule" policy. The following statement more accurately formalises the type of behaviour that is typically expected and actually implemented in such groups.
We live by a Code of Honor.
One element of that code is — Respect Confidentiality.
Everything that is brought here in confidence,
will be treated with respect.
We do this to make our meetings a safe place
for us to be open, honest, and fully present.
Is there anyone here who cannot agree
to confidentiality as stated?
(pause)
Everyone who agrees to abide by confidentiality,
give a thumbs-up sign.
(pause)
We have established this as a safe circle.
This text implies the balance between secrecy applied within limits that respect trust and confidence as in the dictionary text above. This balance is also reflected in the older text below, originating with the early 1990s Legacy Game:
Man's need for secrets stems from his competitive nature. A successful competitor will use information as a weapon if at all possible. The prevention of harmful information falling into the hands of the enemy became a necessary and highly valued trait of the warrior. The power of secrets is often overlooked. Great meaning and importance is often invested in an object or activity merely by giving it a secret status. To this day, trust between men is dependent to a great degree on the ability to keep a secret. CONFIDENTIAL means "entrusted with confidence" and is a hallmark of the relationship between warriors and honorable men.
This page was written in the "embarrassingly readable" markup language RHTF, and was last updated on 2025 Sep 21.
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