What are the Consequences of Breaching Data Confidentiality?
Breaching data confidentiality can have severe consequences:
1. Loss of Trust: Participants may lose trust in the research community, leading to lower participation rates in future studies. 2. Legal Repercussions: Non-compliance with legal standards can result in penalties, fines, and lawsuits. 3. Ethical Violations: Breaches can lead to significant ethical violations, damaging the reputation of the researchers and their institutions. 4. Data Integrity: The integrity and reliability of the research data may be compromised, affecting the study's outcomes and conclusions.