I’ve seen recruiters “leak” a lot of “confidential” information from their clients saying “I’ve been asked not to share this but…”. I’ve always taken such messages with a pinch of cynicism but typically such messages are corresponded by phone where an audit trail is less more easily deniable.

So I definitely think phones are used because it allows the rules to be bent in a multitude of ways with a lower risk of consequence.

Plus it’s easier to pressure people when you’re on the phone than it is when they’re emailing.