The Italian Data Protection Authority has recently reiterated what to do when an employee leaves the company, i.e.:

• Close down email accounts attributable to the former employee;
• Adopt automatic response systems indicating alternative addresses to those who contact the mailbox; and
• Introduce technical measures to prevent the display of incoming messages to unauthorized subjects.

The automatic forwarding of emails to colleagues of the former employee amounts to a breach of principles of data protection, which impose on the employer the protection of confidentiality even of the former worker.

In the case decided by the Authority the e-mail account had remained active for over a year and a half after the end of the employment relationship and before its elimination, which took place only after a formal complaint filed by the worker.

Our life sciences team at Gitti and Partners wishes you a relaxing Christmas break and a 2020 full of happy innovation, useful technology and interesting legal developments!