What do I need to consider regarding data protection when using social media in the company?
August 11, 2022 | 60,00 EUR | answered by Andrea Schlattmann
Dear Data Protection Lawyer,
I am the managing director of a small company and we use social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to showcase our business and interact with our customers. However, I have recently become concerned about data protection issues related to our social media activities.
Currently, we regularly post content on our company profiles, sharing photos and videos of employees, customers, and events. Additionally, we have integrated a contact form on our website through which customers can submit inquiries and we collect personal data such as name, email address, and phone number.
I am worried that we may be violating data protection laws by disclosing personal data without authorization or not securely storing it. I am also unsure if we need to provide a privacy policy on our social media profiles and how we can ensure that we respect our customers' privacy.
Could you please explain to me the legal requirements we need to consider when using social media in the company in terms of data protection? Are there specific measures we should take to ensure that we act in compliance with data protection regulations? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Best regards,
Mia Rademacher
Dear Mrs. Rademacher,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding data protection in relation to your social media activities as the managing director of a small company. It is very good that you are thinking about data protection and want to ensure that you comply with the applicable laws.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that the processing of personal data on social media platforms is subject to data protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. As a company, you must ensure that you respect the rights and privacy of your customers and employees and protect their data accordingly.
Regarding the publication of photos and videos on your social media profiles, it is important to ensure that you have the consent of the individuals depicted before you publish their images. This is particularly important for employees, customers, or event participants. Consent should be obtained in writing, and individuals should be informed about how and where their images will be used.
Furthermore, you should ensure that you securely store and only use for the specified purpose the personal data that you collect through the contact form on your website. It is important to provide a privacy policy on your website that explains what data you collect, how you use it, and how the data is protected.
To ensure that you are compliant with data protection regulations, I recommend creating a data protection concept outlining how you handle personal data, what security measures you take, and how you ensure compliance with data protection laws. Additionally, regularly train your employees on data protection and raise awareness about handling personal data.
You may also consider appointing a data protection officer responsible for overseeing data protection measures in your company. While this is not always legally required, it can help ensure the effective implementation of data protection in your company.
I hope this information is helpful and gives you an overview of the legal requirements you need to consider when using social media in your company. If you have any further questions or would like more detailed advice, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Andrea Schlattmann
Attorney specializing in data protection law
