Last Updated April 27, 2023
Confidentiality Agreement
Other Names
A Confidentiality Agreement is also known as:
- Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA
- Confidentiality Statement
- Privacy Agreement
What is a Confidentiality Agreement?
A Confidentiality Agreement is a legal document that protects sensitive information from being distributed or revealed by someone. This type of agreement is commonly used to protect a business's intellectual property or details about its operations.
Many organizations are obliged by privacy laws to securely keep the personal information they collect, and to use or disclose that information only as permitted by law. A Confidentiality Agreement can help an organization fulfil those legal obligations when dealing with third parties.
A Confidentiality Agreement can also be used by anyone who wants a contractor, consultant, or health practitioner to keep their personal information private.
When should I use a Confidentiality Agreement?
Here are some common situations where you could use a Confidentiality Agreement:
Job Interviews: When interviewing candidates to work for your business, it may be necessary to share sensitive information about your operations. You may wish to have candidates sign a Confidentiality Agreement in order to protect your company's intellectual property.
Employee Regulations: Your workplace may need to comply with relevant privacy laws governing the collection and use of personal information. Using Confidentiality Agreements with employees can help to reinforce the required actions.
Selling a Business: A potential buyer of your business will want to know about details like operating expenses, customer databases, new products currently in development, and manufacturing processes before agreeing to purchase it. A privacy agreement would work to maintain the integrity of your company's trade secrets and ensure compliance with privacy laws.
Dealing with Suppliers: Supplier order information can reveal details about your business that you want to keep private, such as upcoming product releases, or changes to existing product lines. By getting your suppliers to sign a Confidentiality Agreement, you can ensure that your order details are kept private.
Contractors and Consultants: A contractor or a consultant doing work for you may need to know sensitive information like alarm codes for your home, or when you will be away on business. You could use a privacy agreement in this instance to help maintain your personal security.
Product Focus Groups: Businesses that test upcoming products with focus groups of consumers don't want news of the new products to be leaked early, which can throw off marketing plans and give vital intel to competitors. You could use a Confidentiality Agreement with each focus group participant to help protect your business's intellectual property.
Therapists and Group Therapy: It is a good idea for therapists to offer privacy agreements to their clients, especially when conducting group therapy sessions where personal details are revealed and discussed. A Confidentiality Agreement can reduce a client's anxiety over speaking freely as part of their treatment.