Social media, Employment and the Law: when words carry weight
In today’s digital environment, private and public communications often take place on the same platforms. It is crucial, however, to recognize that private chats and messages constitute confidential correspondence. In the absence of a valid legal basis, any monitoring or processing of such communications by an employer is unlawful. Privacy must prevail over corporate curiosity—this is not only a matter of good practice, but a principle enshrined in Article 15 of the Italian Constitution, which safeguards the freedom and secrecy of correspondence. The demarcation between private life and professional responsibility is subtle but not imperceptible. Every word expressed online has …
