The primary purpose of a Certificate of Confidentiality is to:

The primary purpose of a Certificate of Confidentiality is to protect identifiable research information from compelled disclosure. This means that the certificate helps ensure that researchers do not have to disclose information that can identify individual participants, even in legal contexts. This protection is critical in sensitive research, particularly involving vulnerable populations, such as prisoners. By safeguarding the confidentiality of participants, researchers can gather more honest and accurate information without fear of negative repercussions for those involved. This protection encourages participation in research, as individuals are more likely to take part when they are assured their personal information will remain confidential and cannot be accessed by outside parties, including law enforcement and courts.