Heads Up on Public Video Chats: Keep Business Conversations Private for Everyone's Sake
Potential listening-in by others: a potential security concern.
Diving into a meeting mid-commute, lounging at a coffee shop, or chatting on a park bench might seem convenient, but it's not always a smart move when it comes to discussing company matters on a video call. With prying eyes and ears just a glance or whisper away, it's crucial to consider the potential implications.
"It's a tricky situation, and it really depends on the nature of the discussion," explains Jakob T. Lange, an employment law specialist based in Wiesbaden.
When other people can see or hear your business conversation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into play. In cases like these, everyone involved should ideally give their explicit consent to having others around. Plus, they need to be informed that their privacy might be compromised during the call.
Chatting about sensitive personal data, like employee vacation plans, parental leave, or salary increases, is best kept off public videos. Exposing such information without the person's consent could breach data privacy regulations, especially if it leads to their personal details becoming public.
Skip the Drama: Know the Consequences of Misconduct
Reveling in confidential information isn't just a threat to data privacy—it could also lead to legal troubles. Many employers have data protection regulations or information security guidelines that employees must follow, especially when they're on the move.
Failing to adhere to these rules could mean facing disciplinary action, ranging from a warning to immediate termination, depending on the severity of the infraction. In some cases, employees might even be liable for damages.
Violating confidentiality clauses from the employment contract may even justify an ordinary or extraordinary termination of the job.
Pro-Tip: Jakob T. Lange is a renowned employment law specialist and serves on the Executive Committee of the Employment Law Working Group of the German Bar Association (DAV).
Advanced Video Calling Etiquette
When it comes to conducting business video calls in public spaces, remember to consider privacy and confidentiality.
- Inform participants about the call beforehand, and communicate any recording or monitoring policies.
- Use secure, privacy-friendly platforms, like Microsoft Teams, which offer encryption and notify participants when a recording begins.
- Opt for a secure network for your call to protect your data. Public Wi-Fi may not be that secure, so consider using a mobile hotspot or private network instead.
- Minimize background noise by using noise-canceling headsets or software.
- Find a quiet, less crowded spot for your call whenever possible.
By following these simple tips, you can strike a balance between convenience and confidentiality while covering business during those impromptu video calls in public spaces. Just remember: privacy matters, so always be mindful of your surroundings.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expectation_of_privacy[2] https://www.lifewire.com/tips-to-enhance-your-video-call-experience-817686[3] https://www.pcmag.com/news/keep-your-meetings-private-with-this-list-of-encrypted-conferencing-services[4] https://www.howtogeek.com/723911/how-to-disable-zoom-cloud-recordings/
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