# professional secrecy

> rules applied to some professional of not revealing confidential information to any unauthorized third party, and of protecting and restricting them against any unlawful access

**Wikidata**: [Q443955](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q443955)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/professional-secrecy

## Summary
Professional secrecy refers to the legal and ethical obligation of certain professionals to keep confidential information private, preventing unauthorized disclosure or unlawful access. It is a fundamental principle in fields like law, medicine, and finance, ensuring trust and security in professional relationships. This concept is closely related to information privacy and legal professional privilege.

## Key Facts
- Professional secrecy is a subset of **secrecy**, **information privacy**, and **legal norms**, with a specific focus on professional duties.
- It is also classified as a **duty** in legal and ethical frameworks.
- The term has aliases such as **professional confidentiality**, **secrecy obligation**, and **confidentialité professionnelle**.
- It is regulated by legal texts, with Sweden being one of the main regulatory jurisdictions.
- Professional secrecy is linked to **legal professional privilege**, which protects attorney-client communications.
- The concept is recognized in various cultural and linguistic contexts, including Swedish (*salassapitovelvollisuus*), French (*obligation de secret*), and Arabic (*سرية*).
- It is indexed in multiple thesauri and classification systems, including the **Dewey Decimal Classification (347)** and the **BNCF Thesaurus (22371)**.
- Professional secrecy is associated with **address restricted**, a designation for archaeological sites where location details are kept confidential.
- The term is defined in knowledge bases like **KBpedia** and **Omegawiki**, with references to academic and institutional sources.
- It is part of the **WikiProject Health Data Space**, indicating its relevance to medical and data privacy discussions.

## FAQs
**What fields enforce professional secrecy?**
Professional secrecy applies to roles where confidentiality is critical, such as lawyers, doctors, and financial advisors, who must protect sensitive client or patient information.

**How does professional secrecy differ from legal professional privilege?**
While both involve confidentiality, professional secrecy is a broader concept that applies to all professionals bound by secrecy obligations, whereas legal professional privilege specifically protects attorney-client communications.

**Is professional secrecy legally enforceable?**
Yes, professional secrecy is often codified in laws and regulations, with penalties for violations, such as fines or legal action.

**Can professional secrecy be waived?**
In some cases, professionals may agree to waive secrecy obligations, but this is typically done with explicit consent and may have legal consequences.

**How does professional secrecy relate to information privacy?**
Professional secrecy is a specific application of information privacy, focusing on the protection of data within professional contexts, such as medical records or legal advice.

## Why It Matters
Professional secrecy is essential for maintaining trust in professional relationships, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. It protects individuals from harm, such as identity theft or reputational damage, and supports ethical practices in fields like healthcare and law. Without professional secrecy, professionals would be unable to provide confidential services, which are fundamental to their roles. Additionally, it plays a role in legal and ethical frameworks, influencing how information is handled and shared in professional settings.

## Notable For
- Being a foundational principle in **legal professional privilege**, which safeguards attorney-client communications.
- Being linked to **address restricted**, a designation for archaeological sites where location details are kept confidential.
- Being recognized in multiple linguistic and cultural contexts, reflecting its global relevance.
- Being indexed in various thesauri and classification systems, indicating its importance in knowledge organization.
- Being part of the **WikiProject Health Data Space**, highlighting its significance in medical and data privacy discussions.

## Body
### Definitions and Classifications
Professional secrecy is defined as the obligation of certain professionals to keep confidential information private, preventing unauthorized disclosure or unlawful access. It is classified as a **secrecy**, **information privacy**, and **legal norm**, with a specific focus on professional duties. The term is also recognized as a **duty** in legal and ethical frameworks.

### Aliases and Linguistic Variations
Professional secrecy is known by various aliases, including **professional confidentiality**, **secrecy obligation**, and **confidentialité professionnelle**. It is also referred to in different languages, such as Swedish (*salassapitovelvollisuus*), French (*obligation de secret*), and Arabic (*سرية*).

### Legal and Regulatory Context
Professional secrecy is regulated by legal texts, with Sweden being one of the main regulatory jurisdictions. It is enforced through laws and regulations, with penalties for violations. In some cases, professionals may agree to waive secrecy obligations, but this is typically done with explicit consent.

### Related Concepts
Professional secrecy is closely related to **legal professional privilege**, which protects attorney-client communications. It is also linked to **address restricted**, a designation for archaeological sites where location details are kept confidential. Additionally, it is associated with **information privacy**, a broader concept that includes the appropriate collection, use, and dissemination of personal data.

### Indexing and Knowledge Organization
Professional secrecy is indexed in multiple thesauri and classification systems, including the **Dewey Decimal Classification (347)** and the **BNCF Thesaurus (22371)**. It is also defined in knowledge bases like **KBpedia** and **Omegawiki**, with references to academic and institutional sources. The term is part of the **WikiProject Health Data Space**, indicating its relevance to medical and data privacy discussions.

### Cultural and Linguistic Recognition
Professional secrecy is recognized in various cultural and linguistic contexts, reflecting its global relevance. It is defined in multiple languages, including Arabic, Swedish, French, and others, demonstrating its importance across different regions. The term is also associated with specific cultural and linguistic identifiers, such as the **YSO ID (3638)** and the **Store Medisinske Leksikon ID (taushetsplikt)**.

## References

1. [Nuovo soggettario](https://thes.bncf.firenze.sbn.it/termine.php?id=22371)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
5. KBpedia