What might a "confidentiality agreement" restrict in the context of FOI?

• A. Access to public information
• B. Disclosure of sensitive information obtained under the agreement
• C. Processing of all requests
• D. The roles of public officials

Answer: (B)

A "confidentiality agreement" is designed specifically to protect sensitive information that may be shared between parties. In the context of Freedom of Information (FOI), such an agreement would restrict the disclosure of sensitive information obtained under the agreement. This is crucial because certain types of information, particularly those pertaining to trade secrets, personal data, or national security, need to be safeguarded to prevent unauthorized sharing that could have negative repercussions.

When a confidentiality agreement is in place, the parties involved are legally bound not to share the information covered by the agreement, ensuring that sensitive details remain protected. This aligns with the principles of FOI, which aims to balance the public's right to access information with the need to keep certain sensitive information confidential for valid reasons.

The other choices relate to aspects of information access or the administrative processes surrounding it, but they do not align with the primary function of a confidentiality agreement, which is to prevent the dissemination of sensitive data.