Delayed Disclosure
Delayed Disclosure is a security and privacy concept where sensitive information is intentionally withheld or revealed only after certain conditions are met, such as user authentication, authorization checks, or specific time-based triggers. It is commonly used in systems to protect data confidentiality, prevent unauthorized access, and comply with regulatory requirements like GDPR or HIPAA. This approach helps minimize exposure of personal or critical data until it is absolutely necessary for functionality.
Developers should implement Delayed Disclosure when building applications that handle sensitive user data, financial information, or health records to enhance security and privacy. It is particularly useful in scenarios like multi-factor authentication flows, where credentials are revealed step-by-step, or in data masking techniques where full details are shown only after verification. This concept helps reduce attack surfaces and ensures compliance with data protection laws by limiting data exposure.