Privacy and the Action for Breach of Confidence in Singapore - ANB v ANC

Abstract

The action for breach of confidence is an established cause of action in Singapore, drawing primarily from English jurisprudence. Although it has been used to protect private information, this protection has been achieved within the traditional framework as set out in Coco v A N Clark (Engineers) Ltd. However, there have been several developments in England, Australia and New Zealand which significantly affect the treatment of private information in the law of confidence. The implications of these developments on the Singapore law of confidence have been a matter of some doubt. Should the developments be adopted in Singapore, and if so, to what extent should they be adopted? The decision of the Singapore Court of Appeal in ANB v ANC sheds some light on these questions. This note examines and comments on ANB v ANC.

Keywords: privacy, breach of confidence

JEL Classification: K00