confidentiality
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confidentiality
The quality or duty of keeping entrusted or secret information to oneself and not passing it on. It is a central concept in professions such as doctor, lawyer, or priest.
Ärzte sind zur absoluten Verschwiegenheit über die Daten ihrer Patienten verpflichtet.
Doctors are obligated to maintain absolute confidentiality about their patients' data.
The word derives from the verb 'verschweigen' (to keep something secret). The ending '-heit' forms an abstract noun that describes the state or quality of being discreet or maintaining confidentiality.
Er ist für seine Verschwiegenheit bekannt.
He is known for his confidentiality.
Common phrases are 'zur Verschwiegenheit verpflichtet sein' (to be bound to confidentiality), 'Verschwiegenheit wahren' (to maintain confidentiality), or 'Verschwiegenheit zusichern' (to assure confidentiality).
Als Anwalt muss er absolute Verschwiegenheit wahren.
As a lawyer, he must maintain absolute confidentiality.
The obligation is expressed with the preposition 'zu'. The content that is being kept confidential is often indicated with 'über' (+ accusative).
Therapeuten sind gesetzlich zur Verschwiegenheit verpflichtet.
Therapists are legally bound to confidentiality.
confidentiality
Geheimhaltung and Verschwiegenheit both mean that confidential information is not passed on. Geheimhaltung generally refers to the organized practice of protecting documents and processes. Verschwiegenheit, by contrast, emphasizes a person's personal duty or characteristic of not revealing anything.
Die Mitarbeiterin wahrt über den Inhalt der Unterlagen Verschwiegenheit.
The employee maintains confidentiality regarding the contents of the documents.
Die Firma schützt die Unterlagen durch strenge Geheimhaltung.
The company protects the documents through strict confidentiality.
