Impacts of digital technology on wider society - EduqasTelecommunications Regulations 2000

The Telecommunications Regulations 2000 support and ensure the safe and proper use of electronic communications and data storage. The law gives employers the right to monitor certain types of communications made by their employees while at work and to take appropriate action.

The monitoring can include:

• recording phone calls
• checking websites visited
• reviewing emails and attachments.

The main purpose of the act is to prevent the misuse of company systems. For example, by stopping employees:

• from sending inappropriate messages
• leaking sensitive company information
• sharing copyright protected material
• using company systems for personal use.

If employees’ rights are breached, for example their privacy is unnecessarily infringed, a business can face legal action from employees and be investigated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO.)