Which of the following is a breach that could lead to civil action against an agent in torts?

• A. Breach of the privacy obligations
• B. Breach of contract
• C. Negligence
• D. Defamation

Answer: (A)

Protecting clients’ personal information is a key duty for an agent. When that privacy duty is breached, it can amount to a civil wrong known as an invasion of privacy, which is a recognized tort. If an agent improperly collects, uses, or discloses personal information without proper authorization, the harmed client can pursue civil action for damages or other remedies. Privacy breaches are inherently about rights to personal information and the expectation of confidentiality, so they fit squarely within tort law as a civil wrong.

Breach of contract involves a breach of a promise in a contract, which is handled under contract law rather than a tort. Negligence is also a tort, but it centers on failing to meet the standard of care and causing damage, not specifically on violating privacy obligations. Defamation is a separate tort involving false statements harming another’s reputation. The privacy breach scenario aligns most directly with a tort claim, making it the best fit.