Confidentiality

The international application and any documents related thereto are not published prior to the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, unless the applicant requests early publication of the international application. In addition, the receiving Office, the International Bureau, the International Searching Authority, the International Preliminary Examining Authority, and the national Office, do not allow access to an international application and any documents related thereto by third parties before its international publication unless requested or authorized by the applicant.
  

In the context of the PCT, confidentiality means no publication and no access is allowed to third parties (by the International Bureau or related parties) to an international application or any related documents before its international publication, unless requested or authorized by the applicant.