Digital cooperation

In the context of associations, digital cooperation refers to the cooperation within the executive committee as well as to interactions with members or between them. Digital media facilitate the exchange of media content and offer the possibility to digitally create media content individually or together with other users. Digital collaboration includes joint data storage and processing (e.g. Dropbox, Google docs, etc.), communication channels such as WhatsApp, Slack, social media platforms and planning tools such as Trello and Doodle. With a survey tool such as Findmind or Surveymonkey, member’s needs and ideas can be surveyed at any time; the interactive Mentimeter presentation software is suitable for live surveys at the general meeting.

Collaborating well and enthusiastically (vitamin B)

Question

Like many associations, we communicate by email, chat tools, electronic newsletters and digital filing systems. How do we, the Board of Directors, know which digital tools are safe in terms of data protection law?

Answer

The Board of Directors must check each provider’s reliability and ensure that they guarantee data security (in cases where the provider processes the association’s personal data as part of a contract, e.g., in the case of a cloud solution). The Board of Directors does so by asking the provider directly. The provider may also have certain quality labels or certifications in the area of data protection. An association must contractually obligate the provider, i.e., it must obtain legally binding assurances that the data will be handled responsibly, securely and in confidence.