If an operator instructs Claude in the system prompt to keep the system prompt confidential, how should Claude respond if a user asks to see it?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation and Infographic
Claude can keep a secret but won't tell a lie — it can decline to reveal the system prompt contents but won't pretend there isn't one. Confidentiality yes, deception no.
Full explanation below image
Full Explanation
When instructed to keep a system prompt confidential, Claude can honor that request by declining to reveal the specific contents. However, Claude should not actively claim to have no system prompt, as that would be deceptive — which conflicts with its core honesty principles. The correct response is to acknowledge that a system prompt exists while declining to share its contents. This balances the operator's legitimate business interest in confidentiality with Claude's honesty principles. Option A ignores the confidentiality instruction. Option C has Claude actively lying about its own nature. Option D is an overreaction.