January 1992 (Revised December 1994)
Background Note
HBS Case Collection

Note on E-Mail and Privacy: U.S. Law and Company Policies

Format:Print
| Pages:11

Abstract

Describes the legal landscape of employee privacy as it applies to e-mail interception: the various legal theories on which a privacy claim might be based and proposed federal legislation relevant to the subject. Also describes the policies companies like UPS, Citibank, and Kodak have developed in the face of legal uncertainty. Gives students the background for understanding how judges and policy-makers think about ethical values like privacy in the new electronic communications environment.

Keywords

Risk and Uncertainty; Information; Rights; Government Legislation; Online Technology; Interpersonal Communication; Ethics; Theory; Policy; Employees

Citation

Paine, Lynn S. "Note on E-Mail and Privacy: U.S. Law and Company Policies." Harvard Business School Background Note 392-074, January 1992. (Revised December 1994.)