Even the most publicity-loving among us agree that being in the news is generally not a good thing when it comes to ethics. Unfortunately, stories about ethics mistakes, violations, and slip-ups are commonplace. These mistakes can have severe consequences not just for the public officials who make them but for the agencies they represent.
One misstep that has featured prominently in recent news stories and has plagued officials on both sides of the aisle is the accidental release of confidential and sensitive information. Many different state and federal statutes, regulations, and ethical and professional rules impose duties on public officials to protect sensitive and confidential information. In Ohio, for example, Ohio Revised Code 102.03 (B) prohibits current and former public officials from disclosing or improperly using confidential information obtained in the course of official duties. Violations are punishable by criminal fines, even jail sentences, and removal from office or employment.
The obligation to protect confidential information is certainly not new, but new technologies make accidental disclosure of confidential information easier than ever. Texting, messaging apps, and social media provide quick and convenient communication vehicles, but inadvertently sending confidential information to the wrong recipient is as easy as a misspelled name or incorrect address autofill.
The moral of the story is that fast is not always best. If you are a public official with access to confidential information, taking the time to ensure that communication is secure can save you and your agency from the unwanted headlines, embarrassment, and business interruption of an ethics scandal.
