Confidentiality
Protecting client information, trade secrets, and sensitive data in your copywriting work.
Key points
- Treat all client information as confidential unless told otherwise
- NDAs formalise confidentiality but the obligation exists regardless
- Be careful with AI tools — they may store or learn from your inputs
- Confidentiality continues after the project ends
Default to confidential
As a professional copywriter, you’ll have access to sensitive client information: product launches before they’re announced, pricing strategies, internal challenges, customer data, and more.
The Code of Conduct requires you to “Maintain client confidentiality and protect sensitive information.” This applies whether or not you’ve signed a formal NDA.
The principle is simple: treat everything you learn through client work as confidential unless you have explicit permission to share it.
What confidentiality covers
Confidential information typically includes:
- Business information — strategy, pricing, plans, challenges, internal processes
- Product information — upcoming launches, features, development roadmaps
- Customer data — names, contact details, purchase history, feedback
- Creative work — your work for them before it’s published
- The relationship itself — some clients don’t want it known they use external copywriters
You can usually share: the fact that you worked with a client (unless they’ve asked otherwise), published work in your portfolio, general learnings that don’t reveal specifics. When in doubt, ask.
Non-disclosure agreements
Many clients will ask you to sign an NDA. These formalise confidentiality obligations and may include:
- Specific definitions of what’s confidential
- Time limits on confidentiality obligations
- Penalties for breach
- Exceptions (information that becomes public, etc.)
NDAs are normal and reasonable. Read them before signing, but don’t treat a request for an NDA as a red flag.
Keep copies of NDAs you’ve signed and note their terms. Some have time limits; others are perpetual. You need to know what you’ve committed to.
AI tools and confidentiality
Using AI tools with client information raises new confidentiality concerns:
- Data storage — some AI tools store your inputs and may use them for training
- Data leakage — information you input could potentially appear in outputs for other users
- Terms of service — check what rights the AI provider claims over your inputs
Before using AI tools with client information, consider whether the client would be comfortable with that data being processed by a third party. For highly sensitive information, the answer is often no.
Many AI tools now offer enterprise or professional tiers with stronger data protection. If you regularly handle sensitive client information, these may be worth the investment.
Practical security measures
Confidentiality isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how you handle information:
- Secure storage — use encrypted storage for client files, not just your desktop
- Access control — don’t share login credentials; use proper file sharing
- Communication — be careful what you put in emails that might be forwarded
- Physical security — don’t work on confidential projects in public places where screens are visible
- Disposal — securely delete files when projects end (unless you need them for your records)
Summary
Confidentiality is fundamental to professional trust. Clients share sensitive information because they trust you to protect it. Honour that trust by defaulting to confidentiality, being careful with AI tools, and maintaining good security practices.
When you’re not sure whether something is confidential, it probably is. Ask the client if you need clarification.