Originally published Bloomberg Law Reports, August
2011
Today we are inundated with media accounts about the dangers of
cell phones, text messages, Facebook and the like. Stories
frequently warn of the need for parents, in particular, to remain
current with the latest technology and implement appropriate
"parental controls." The same general principle applies
to developing and administering an export compliance plan. In most
cases, unauthorized exports of controlled goods and technology do
not occur because employees are intentionally attempting to break
the law. Rather, in most cases employees are not fully aware of the
ramifications of their actions and do not realize that their
communications―now made through a variety of
instantaneous methods—could result in export violations.
Moreover, all too frequently, there are either no safeguards
integrated into a company's business or outdated safeguards,
which means that a company often is unaware of possible
