ADVISORY OPINIONS
In all assignments the appraiser must comply with the Confidentiality section of the ETHICS RULE with respect to the handling of confidential information. Confidential information is defined in USPAP as:
information that is either
identified by the client as confidential when providing it to an appraiser and that is not available from any other source; or
classified as confidential or private by applicable law or regulation
The Confidentiality section of the ETHICS RULE states:
An appraiser must be aware of, and comply with, all confidentiality and privacy laws and regulations applicable in an assignment.
An appraiser must not disclose confidential information . . . . to anyone other than the client and persons specifically authorized by the client . . .
If a prior assignment included any confidential information, its disclosure to a different client or intended user would violate the ETHICS RULE if the information were still classified as confidential information. This includes the requirement to comply with all confidentiality and privacy laws and regulations.
USPAP 2008–2009 Edition
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