Which duty involves respecting and protecting a client's right to privacy?

The duty that involves respecting and protecting a client's right to privacy is confidentiality. Confidentiality in social work practice refers to the ethical obligation of social workers to keep information shared by clients during the helping process private, unless there is a compelling reason to disclose it, such as risks of harm to the client or others. This principle is crucial for establishing trust in the client-worker relationship and encouraging clients to disclose sensitive information without fear of it being shared improperly.

While privacy rights, data protection, and information security are all related concepts that contribute to the overall framework of protecting client information, confidentiality specifically emphasizes the ethical duty to maintain the privacy of communication and records related to clients. This distinction is vital as confidentiality not only involves the legal expectations surrounding client information but also the ethical considerations integral to the practice of social work.