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

IM Rule # 24: Retain Only Business Record Instant Messages. Delete Messages That Are Personal or Lack Value as Business Records.

Disposing of old IM, e-mail, and other records when they reach the end of their lifespan ensures old information cannot return to harm you. Have your legal/records management team purge old management records and insignificant, nonbusiness-record messages. ^[8]

^[8]Ibid.