Is it ever acceptable for companies to monitor employees’ social media use? 

Depending on the legal situation and other national circumstances of the countries, the answers may well vary, and they all make sense, but in my view, companies should be permitted to monitor all communications over company-owned devices, while should not censor any personal device. Now let me explain the details.     

First, by monitoring social media, companies can protect their reputation, intellectual property, and other important assets. For example, some workers may misuse social media to harm corporate reputation, or they may reveal confidential data or private information to outsiders. So, it’s natural for companies to regulate such activities.     

Next, I understand some may argue that such monitoring infringes on human rights, but it is not a censorship. In addition, when workers communicate during work hours, it is a corporate activity, not invading the rights of others.

Therefore, monitoring by the company does not violate “communication privacy.” However, finding a balance between corporate activities and privacy is sometimes an important yet challenging matter. So, we must carefully consider the practices to find out the optimal approach. Thank you for your attention. [180 F1]