What is the difference between privileged information and confidential information in PMK practice?

• A. Privileged information is never protected by law.
• B. Privileged information and confidential information are the same.
• C. Privileged information is legally protected in court; confidential information is client data that must be protected by policy; not all confidential info is privileged.
• D. Confidential information is always privileged.

Answer: (C)

The distinction is between legal protection in court and policy-based protection. Privileged information is information that the law specifically shields from compelled disclosure in legal settings, such as attorney‑client or certain physician‑patient communications. In PMK practice, this means those communications cannot be revealed in court without the holder’s consent. Confidential information, meanwhile, includes client data and other sensitive material that must be kept private by internal policies, NDAs, or professional standards. Not everything that is confidential enjoys legal privilege; some confidential material can be disclosed under legal process or policy exceptions. So, privilege provides a legal shield in court, while confidentiality is broader and governed by policy, with not all confidential information being privileged. In practice, treat privileged information as off-limits for legal disclosure, and handle confidential information with strict internal protections.