Which statement correctly distinguishes confidentiality from privacy in social work ethics?

• A. Confidentiality refers to withholding information shared in confidence.
• B. Privacy concerns individuals' rights to control personal information.
• C. Confidentiality means keeping information strictly secret from authorities.
• D. Privacy and confidentiality are the same concept.

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality is the professional obligation to protect information a client shares in confidence and not disclose it without the client’s permission. This withholding supports trust and openness in the helping relationship. It’s about the social worker’s duty to keep what’s shared private, within ethical and legal limits.

This differs from privacy, which is about the client’s right to control who has access to their personal information and how it’s used. In practice, confidentiality isn’t absolute—there are legitimate exceptions (such as mandatory reporting or safety concerns) that allow disclosure when warranted.

The statement that confidentiality means withholding information shared in confidence best captures this protective, trust-building function. The other options either describe privacy, oversimplify confidentiality, or incorrectly state that privacy and confidentiality are the same.