Breach of confidence 

Scales of justice
Tort law
Part of the common law series
Intentional torts
Assault · Battery
False imprisonment Consent · Necessity
Self defense
Property torts
Trespass (land · chattels)
Conversion
Detinue · Replevin · Trover
Dignitary torts
Defamation · Invasion of privacy
False light · Breach of confidence
Abuse of process
Malicious prosecution
Alienation of affections
Economic torts
Fraud · Tortious interference
Conspiracy · Restraint of trade
Nuisance
Public nuisance
Rylands v. Fletcher
Negligence
Duty of care · Standard of care
Proximate cause · Res ipsa loquitur
Calculus of negligence
Rescue doctrine · Duty to rescue
Specific types Employment-related · Entrustment
Malpractice (legal · medical)
Duty to visitors
Trespassers · Licensees · Invitees
Attractive nuisance
Strict liability torts
Product liability
Ultrahazardous activity
Liability, defences, remedies
Comparative / contributory negligence
Last clear chance · Eggshell skull
Vicarious liability · Volenti non fit injuria
Ex turpi causa non oritur actio
Neutral reportage · Damages
Injunction
Other common law areas
Contract law · Property law
Wills, trusts and estates
Criminal law · Evidence
v  d  e

The tort of breach of confidence, is a common law tort that protects private information that is conveyed in confidence. A claim for breach of confidence typically requires the information to be of a confidential nature, which was communicated in confidence, and was disclosed to the detriment of the claimant.

Establishing breach of confidentiality depends on proving the existence and breach of a duty of confidentiality. Courts in the US look at the nature of the relationship between the parties. Most commonly, breach of confidentiality applies to the patient-physician relationship but it can also apply to relationships involving banks, hospitals, and insurance companies and many others.

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