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 researchers who obtain this certificate can safeguard participants' privacy and confidentiality, even in cases where there may be legal requirements to disclose such information, such as in court cases or legal proceedings. By shielding these sensitive data, the certificate encourages participation in research by offering assurance to subjects that their identifiable information will not be exposed against their will.

This protection is particularly significant in studies involving vulnerable populations, where the risks associated with disclosure could be greater. The focus is on maintaining the confidentiality of participant information, ensuring that researchers can conduct their studies without compromising the trust that participants place in them.