Instant Messaging Rules: A Business Guide to Managing Policies, Security, and Legal Issues for Safe IM Communication

IM Rule # 1: Instant Messaging Is a Form of E-Mail—Written Correspondence That Creates a Written Record.

Instant messaging is a form of turbocharged e-mail. It combines the real-time convenience and conferencing capabilities of the telephone with all the features of e-mail—and then some. As a form of e-mail, IM creates a written business record that can be subpoenaed and used as evidence in litigation or regulatory investigations. Adherence to a strategic IM management program, complete with written rules and policies, is a legal and business necessity for any organization that allows employees to use IM.