Social Networking and Data Protection

If social networking is part of your firm’s marketing activity, you should be aware of the data protection implications.



The Data Protection Act 1998 applies in such cases because the exemption which applies when personal data is ‘processed by an individual for their own personal purposes’ does not apply ‘when an organisation or an individual uses an online forum for corporate, business or non-domestic purposes’.



The Information Commissioner’s Office has published a useful guide on the implications, ‘Social networking and online forums – when does the DPA apply?’.