In the corporate world, whistleblowing plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical standards and uncovering wrongdoing. Whistleblowers, who may be employees or external stakeholders, report illegal activities, misconduct, or risks to public safety within an organization. In practice, it can be things like fraud, harassment, product or food safety, environmental issues or protection of privacy and personal data.
From December 2023, the EU Whistleblower Directive requires all EU organizations with 50+ employees (including EU branches) to establish a confidential internal whistleblowing channel.
Implementing a channel that is safe and anonymous is crucial to comply with this regulation. However, there are many technical challenges you can face as a business when implementing whistleblowing procedures. This article explores how technology is empowering companies to build secure, efficient, and user-friendly whistleblowing systems. Let’s dive in!
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💡 Over time, whistleblowing has been fraught with challenges, including retaliation against the whistleblower or the risk of sensitive information being mishandled. However, with the advent of advanced technology, the landscape is changing.
One of the biggest fears for potential whistleblowers is the risk of being identified and facing retaliation. This means that commonly-used corporate communication channels like phone, email or instant messaging cannot be used. Luckily, modern digital platforms are available and offer robust encryption and anonymity features.
Technology has made it possible to create user-friendly reporting channels accessible from anywhere, at any time. Mobile apps and online portals allow employees to report concerns discreetly and conveniently, encouraging more individuals to come forward.
Once a report is filed, it’s crucial to manage it effectively. Technological solutions can help you track the progress of an investigation, maintain records, and ensure timely resolution of reported issues.
Protecting sensitive information is paramount in whistleblowing systems. Technology, including firewalls or antivirus software, safeguard the data against unauthorized access and cyber threats.
For multinational corporations, ensuring compliance across different legal jurisdictions is challenging. Whistleblowing systems can be adapted for different languages and legal requirements, making them versatile tools for global operations.
👋 Ready to implement whistleblowing protections in your organization? 🔍 Find out how
🚀 iubenda’s Whistleblowing Management Tool is your powerful ally in providing your employees with a secure platform for internal reporting, in no time!
It consists of a form and dashboard to simply the process of submitting and managing whistleblowers’ reports through a dedicated channel. Our product aims to streamline management within organizations, protect whistleblowers, and ensure businesses consistently adhere to the law.
💡 Want more detail on how iubenda can help? Check out our dedicated guide.
With iubenda, you can harness technology to ensure compliance and support your employees:
⭐ Quick and easy-to-use form setup
⭐ Smooth integration with your existing processes
⭐ Guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality for whistleblowers
⭐ Guided and standardized report submission on any device
⭐ Role-specific permissions for secure access
⭐ Real-time updates to monitor developments and ensure prompt responses
⭐ Intuitive all-in-one dashboard to centralize, filter and reports
