What is the ruling on one who spreads the personal affairs of others, whether that is memos, letters or conversations without the person’s permission?

Question

If a person entrusted it to him on the basis that it was a secret then it is not permissible for him to spread it because the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: A conversation in a gathering is a trust. Similarly if spreading it will result in harm to his Muslim brother that is not permitted because Islam urges that there should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm. Similarly if spreading it will result in a scandal for a sinning Muslim brother whose sin has been concealed by Allah it is not permissible to spread it. But, if spreading it will serve a Shar’i interest and benefit the person or people in general and the person did not state the condition that it had to be kept a secret, then it is permissible to spread it in that case.