Various whistleblower laws protect employees who have signed non-disclosure agreements and find whistleblowing necessary to right the wrongs of their employers. For instance, California law deems unenforceable NDAs that require employees to keep quiet about harassment, discrimination, or unlawful workplace activity.
What is the difference between a DPA and a NDA? A DPA (Data Processing Agreement) outlines terms for data processing, focusing on ensuring data protection and privacy compliance. An NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) is a contract where parties agree not to disclose confidential information they've shared with each other.
Starting January 1, 2025, businesses settling disputes with consumers cannot condition any refund or other consideration on a consumer agreeing not to make statements about the business, regardless of the sentiment or accuracy of those statements. The text of the new Cal. Civ. Code § 1748.50 can be found here.
Whereas confidentiality agreements are typically devised in employment or personal situations to protect sensitive information, NDAs are often used in business and legal settings to protect trade secrets, client lists, and financial data.
In California, a nondisclosure agreement may be enforceable, provided it meets basic criteria. The restrictive covenant must be properly drafted. This entails clear writing, detailed information about the confidential components of the contract, and a clearly stated extent of the confidentiality obligation.
Completing the Confidentiality Agreement The "Receiving Party" is the person or company who receives the confidential information and is obligated to keep it secret. You'll need to fill in information specific to your circumstances in the spaces provided, such as the parties' names and addresses.
NDAs should have a clear description of the purpose, parties, and duration they cover. Specifying time limits or periods that your employees are subject to confidentiality is particularly important to ensure your NDA is enforceable in California. The typical time period is one to five years.
NDA vs confidentiality agreement: What is the difference? A confidentiality agreement binds all parties to keep secret information confidential, while an NDA upholds secrecy by creating a confidential relationship between the parties who sign it.
A DPA outlines how you plan to use personal data and is especially important for clarifying the purpose and use of data as well as roles and responsibilities with an external organization or contractor. The workflow on this page will lead you through the process.