The matter involves the alleged disclosure of confidential information in violation of various federal securities laws.

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"However, it appears that these processes have not been followed in this case and the investigation is focusing on data protection issues and the unlawful disclosure of confidential information, " she added.

BBC: Richard Rhodes

Here, after all, we find a laundry list of salient risks: disclosure of confidential business information, reduced employee productivity, negative remarks by current and former employees, damaging remarks about competitors, etc.

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Given the nature of the relationship, it may not be unlikely that they are having a similar relationship with another party (or parties), and this can result in your confidential disclosure of material nonpublic information becoming significantly less confidential.

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"While the specific document made public may be deemed by some as not particularly consequential, the disclosure of the document and nearly word-for-word disclosure of a confidential board conversation led to concerns that other information -- especially student information we have a duty to protect as private -- was at risk, " said a statement from Deans Michael D.

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How the US government will react to such a high-impact disclosure is not known, but it should take note of what can happen when so many people have access to confidential information in a digital age.

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