Which of the following is an ethical violation of a client's right to privacy and confidentiality?

• A. A social worker discusses with the client about the purpose of treatment
• B. A social worker shares de-identified case study in training with consent
• C. A social worker openly discusses client's diagnosis with friends at a coffee shop
• D. A social worker encrypts electronic records

Answer: (C)

Maintaining privacy and confidentiality means information about a client is shared only with those who are authorized and with informed consent, and only to the extent necessary for treatment. When a social worker openly discusses a client’s diagnosis with friends in a public, non-clinical setting like a coffee shop, that reveals protected information to people not involved in the client’s care and without the client’s consent. This breach undermines trust, can cause real harm or stigma, and violates professional boundaries and ethical obligations to protect sensitive information.

The other scenarios align with appropriate ethical practice: discussing the purpose of treatment with the client themselves supports informed consent and engagement; sharing de-identified information in training with consent respects privacy while contributing to learning; and encrypting electronic records is a privacy-protective safeguard, not a violation.