The information gained by an agent representing a seller or buyer must be __________ to avoid confidentiality risks.

The information gained by an agent representing a seller or buyer must be protected to avoid confidentiality risks. In the context of real estate, agents have access to sensitive information regarding their clients, including financial details, personal circumstances, and strategic considerations about selling or purchasing property.

Protecting this information is crucial to maintaining the trust of clients and complying with legal and ethical responsibilities. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive data is not disclosed to unauthorized parties, which could jeopardize negotiations, lead to financial loss, or harm a client's reputation. Proper handling of confidential information fosters a professional relationship and regulatory compliance, essential components of effective risk management in real estate transactions.

The other options suggest actions that do not adequately address the need to specifically safeguard private information. Sharing, documenting, or discussing sensitive information without proper protections could ultimately lead to breaches of confidentiality, which the question seeks to avoid. Thus, emphasizing the need for protection is crucial in the real estate profession.