In breach of confidence, what constitutes unauthorized use?

In the context of breach of confidence, unauthorized use refers specifically to utilizing information without the permission or consent of the person or organization that originally shared that information in confidence. This principle is fundamental to the legal framework surrounding confidentiality, where the expectation is that sensitive information is shared with a level of trust that prohibits its use beyond the agreed-upon parameters.

Using the information without consent fundamentally violates the trust established when the information was shared. This lack of permission is what constitutes a breach, making it crucial for individuals and organizations to secure approval before utilizing confidential information.

The other options involve scenarios where the handling of the information may not necessarily breach confidence, such as publishing in a study or sharing with colleagues, but only if these actions have been conducted with appropriate consent. Storing the information securely can be an aspect of good data management and confidentiality practices but does not directly address the issue of unauthorized use. In essence, unless explicit consent is given, any action taken with the confidential information may potentially lead to a breach of confidence.