There are a number of legal issues involved in business communication, particularly with the advances in modern technology. While technology provides the means to increase efficiency and productivity, it also increases legal concerns within a business about the interception of data and storage of communications. Three of the main legal issues concerned with business communication are attorney-client privilege, VOIP and transient electromagnetic pulse emanation standard.
• Attorney-Client Privilege. There is a legal issue regarding the attorney client privilege within businesses. The problems arise when considering who holds the privileges for the business and what communications are considered as privileges. To outside attorneys, it is legal business communications who possess the privilege. However, to in house attorneys, the extent to which they have any privileges is unclear.
• VOIP. Voice Over Internet Protocol is now used in many businesses as an alternative to the telephone. These services allow businesses to carry out conference calls with video, as well as having the option to share files or even share images of what is on their computer screens. The legal issue that is concerned with VOIP is how the audio file of the meeting is saved afterwards. There is no law that states that telephone conversations need to be recorded and the legal issues concerned with storing VOIP conversations is another one that remains unclear.
• Transient Electromagnetic Pulse Emanation Standard (TEPES). This device allows governments to gain access to computer screen data without the need of a warrant or wiretrap. The information that is not on the screen is not technically considered as communication so there is no law to stop the intercepting occurring without permission.
These are just three of the legal issues that are concerned with business communications. As communication technology develops, the laws do not necessary keep up to date. This causes confusion as the details about what is legal and what is not is unclear.
• Attorney-Client Privilege. There is a legal issue regarding the attorney client privilege within businesses. The problems arise when considering who holds the privileges for the business and what communications are considered as privileges. To outside attorneys, it is legal business communications who possess the privilege. However, to in house attorneys, the extent to which they have any privileges is unclear.
• VOIP. Voice Over Internet Protocol is now used in many businesses as an alternative to the telephone. These services allow businesses to carry out conference calls with video, as well as having the option to share files or even share images of what is on their computer screens. The legal issue that is concerned with VOIP is how the audio file of the meeting is saved afterwards. There is no law that states that telephone conversations need to be recorded and the legal issues concerned with storing VOIP conversations is another one that remains unclear.
• Transient Electromagnetic Pulse Emanation Standard (TEPES). This device allows governments to gain access to computer screen data without the need of a warrant or wiretrap. The information that is not on the screen is not technically considered as communication so there is no law to stop the intercepting occurring without permission.
These are just three of the legal issues that are concerned with business communications. As communication technology develops, the laws do not necessary keep up to date. This causes confusion as the details about what is legal and what is not is unclear.
