When are radio transmissions considered confidential?

Radio transmissions are generally considered confidential unless there is clear indication that they are not. This principle is grounded in the expectation that personal or sensitive communications, particularly those not addressed to the general public, should be treated as private.

In the context of maritime communications, this implies that any message transmitted that does not explicitly state it is for public dissemination or is not a distress call should be assumed to contain information intended solely for the recipient. Trenches of privacy ensure that personal safety, commercial interests, and other operational details remain protected, as any unintended exposure could lead to safety risks or breaches of privacy.

This broader understanding of confidentiality encompasses various types of transmissions, transcending distinctions like emergencies or types of recipients, which is why a general rule that applies to all transmissions unless otherwise specified is paramount.