Information Rights requests and Microsoft Teams conversations

21 Mar 2022

A reminder about the use of Microsoft Teams

This is a reminder for all staff that information shared or written within Teams conversations, including Chat (just like information shared on any other communications channel) is subject to information rights requests that are made under Data Protection and Freedom of Information legislation.

People often use Teams conversations and Chat in a way that they wouldn’t use email for example as it’s quicker and regarded as more informal. The UK GDPR allows individuals to request a copy of their personal data; known as a Subject Access Request and we have a legal obligation to respond to these requests, as well as more general requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Always be mindful of what personal data is shared or written in conversations on Teams Chat, like any other platform it may be subject to disclosure and therefore the content should remain professional.

• Please refer to the information governance advice on disclosure of personal data.