The rapid adoption of mobile devices by employees — iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, and other devices — creates new challenges for employers. Many companies have adopted formal policies that permit employees to use their personal mobile devices to create, store, and transmit work-related data. These new policies may turn an employee’s personal device into a “dual use” device used for both personal and company data and activities. This trend is generally referred to as “Bring Your Own Device,” or BYOD.
While these policies may reduce expenses, aid in recruiting new employees, and allow employers to more quickly take advantage of new technologies, having corporate data transferred and stored on employee-owned personal devices creates significant legal challenges.
