Can withholding information count as deception?

Yes, withholding information can be considered a form of deception. While deception is often associated with active lying or trickery, it encompasses a broad range of behaviors intended to mislead others.12

The concept of deception includes practices such as dissimulation and dissembling, which involve concealing the truth or hiding one's true intentions. By intentionally keeping back relevant facts, an individual may create a false impression or prevent another person from forming an accurate understanding of a situation. This aligns with the broader definition of deception as the practice of misleading others, whether through direct falsehoods or through the strategic use of secrecy and subterfuge.12

Ethically, transparency and honesty are fundamental to building trust and maintaining integrity in human interactions. Choosing to withhold information to manipulate a situation or gain an unfair advantage violates the principles of forthrightness and good faith, which are the direct antonyms of deceptive behavior.12