ARTICLE · 14 SEPTEMBER 2011

Does LinkedIn Compromise Confidentiality?

Salans LLP

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It remains to be seen how far the law can protect employers’ business interests from exploitation by ex-employees using social media.

United KingdomEmployment and HR

James Davies

Originally published in People Management, 6 September 2011

It remains to be seen how far the law can protect employers' business interests from exploitation by ex-employees using social media.

LinkedIn

Social and business networking sites are proliferating. As of 22 March 2011, LinkedIn reports more than 100 million registered users. Many employers now actively encourage employees to register and to develop existing and prospective client relationships using LinkedIn. Employees, often during work time, are busily building up extensive networks of contacts.

The information being collated by an employee on LinkedIn is a potentially valuable asset which may be used to compete against the employer after the employment relationship has ended.

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