A statement added to electronic messages that outlines the private and sensitive nature of the information contained within, and specifies the limitations on its disclosure. For instance, it may state that the communication is intended only for the use of the addressee(s), and prohibits any unauthorized distribution or reproduction of its contents. It essentially is a warning that any unintended recipients should immediately notify the sender and delete the message.
The inclusion of such a statement is intended to provide a degree of legal protection by explicitly establishing expectations regarding the handling of proprietary or otherwise sensitive information. The presence of such disclaimers can serve to deter unauthorized sharing and potentially mitigate legal liability in the event of a data breach or improper dissemination of internal communications. Their use has grown alongside increasing awareness of data privacy regulations and concerns about information security.
