Companies can put employees without their permission in WhatsApp groups if they have work purposes

The Spanish Data Protection Agency opens the door for

without their permission.

It does specify that the data shared be the minimum, that they are related to the objectives sought and that people outside the group do not have access to them.

This is established in a resolution released on January 9 and by which the claim of an employee against his logistics company for including him in two groups without his consent is filed.

In them the data of all the distributions were published, which at the same time were exposed to all those who were included.

He considered that, needing the information, he could not get away from them.

Questioned by the AEPD, the company claimed that "the use of mobile devices and their tools (in this case the whastapp instant messaging system), as a means of internal communication between the company and its workers, is essential for their work" since that the main dedication is the distribution and delivery of parcels.

The response also cited that it "expressly" informed its employees of the use of WhatsApp as a communication channel.

In

, the Spanish Data Protection Agency argues that "in the field of labor relations, the processing of personal data is legally based, mainly, on the execution of the employment contract", a case in which fit this case.

And in addition, the principles of minimization, relevance and confidentiality were respected, for which reason the claim is dismissed.

Against the resolution there is still an appeal for replacement.

The decisions of the AEPD are usually considered a reference in the matter.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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