5.1.1 Types of information

Public

Public information is available to anyone who wants to know it.

If a store is opened to the public, it means anyone can come in.

A public company makes its shares available for purchase by any investor.

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Private

Private information is not open to everyone, but is only available to trusted friends or family.

Information about one's secret hopes and dreams is usually private.

Most people keep their personal information private.

A private company is owned by a small group of private investors.

The password to your bank account is private information.

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Confidential

Confidential information is secret information.

Confidential information is not supposed to be shared with others.

Revealing confidential information may be illegal.

The details of a secret design or how a company makes decisions are often confidential.

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Gossip

Gossip is information that is often exchanged because it's exciting or fun, even though it may not be true.

Office gossip is often entertaining, but it can also be damaging.

Gossip may hurt or embarrass the person being gossiped about.

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Opinion

Opinions are what people think or feel about something as opposed to factual information.

Factual information is based on facts or evidence, but opinions are what people think or feel.

Opinions often differ, and when they do people may argue.