What does a protective order accomplish in a legal setting?

A protective order, often issued by a court, is primarily focused on regulating the disclosure of sensitive information, ensuring that certain material, particularly personal data or confidential information, remains private during legal proceedings. This is particularly significant in cases involving personal privacy rights, trade secrets, or confidential business information.

By determining which court records remain public or private, a protective order helps balance the public's right to access court documents with the need to protect sensitive information from disclosure that could lead to harm or violation of privacy. The protective order may specify which documents can be shared publicly and which must be kept confidential, thus safeguarding individual privacy and sensitive information in legal processes.