What is the law on on email access

[bloukopkoggelmander]

Hi all

Right, unless I am going completely bonkers, I am sure there is a law in place that stops companies from accessing their user's email unless they have written permission from the employee if they are still employed or written confimation from management if the user has left the company.

Is there anyone who knows of this and if so where I can find this law?

I have been searching the net for hours now.

Thanks

[Stang02GT]

I don't think there is anything that prevents your employeer from looking at your WORK e-mail. It was explained to me that it's the companies "property" and you work for the company, your on company time, using their services. So they have the right to look at your work e-mail.


Now if your work is trying to look into your personal hotmail account i would say there is something wrong there and should be something in place against that. But as far as your work e-mail im pretty sure there isn't anything in place for that because its the companies.

[Nepomuk]

I guess, there is such a law - but it does depend on the country you're in. My suggestion would be, to ask in a law-and-justice forum of your choice (and for your country of course). Then, when you've found out there, tell us here! ^^

Of course, someone here could know it too, so let's see who else answers.

In Germany there's certainly a guaranty of the so called "Fernmeldegeheimnis", which should prohibit any access to your communication against your will. (Or something similar. I hope, I'm interpreting this correctly...) So I wouldn't specify "e-mail", but rather search for something more general.

Greetings,
Nepomuk

[bloukopkoggelmander]

Thanks guys

Fast feedback so far. I will have a look as suggested and get back with any feedback.

Strange though, I thought a few people would have confirmed some law existing by now.

But like you said.... let see if someone else comments......

[Curtis Rutland]

Well, how can anyone confirm a law when we don't know what country you live in? Laws are different in different countries. In the USA, laws are different even from state to state.

But in the US, your work emails are the property of the company. They own your computer, the server, and all the files on both. That's why you should never use work resources for personal business, because anything you do can be deleted or accessed by IT at any time.

[bloukopkoggelmander]

Hi

My apologies man, I should have mentioned. I am from the UK.