45 CFR 1149.42: What does a protective order protect?

In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:

(a) That the discovery not be had;

(b) That the discovery may be had only under specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;

(c) That the discovery may be had only through a different method of discovery than requested;

(d) That certain matters are not inquired into, or that the scope of discovery is limited to certain matters;

(e) That only those persons designated by the ALJ may be present during discovery;

(f) That the contents of the discovery or evidence are sealed;

(g) That a sealed deposition is opened only by order of the ALJ;

(h) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or

(i) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ.