Kuwait Oil Company issues new rules for tech, social media use

• Kuwait Oil Company bans photographing others without permission on company premises and during work-related occasions.

• It is prohibited to install and use various technological means for monitoring or eavesdropping on sites, equipment, or devices designated for the worker.

• The company may impose disciplinary measures, legal liability, and seek compensation for damages from rule violators.

The Kuwait Oil Company has released a circular outlining guidelines’ for employees’ use of technology and social media, specifically concerning photography, recording, and publishing. This move is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to preserve its long-standing local and global reputation, according to a report by Al Anba newspaper.

The company stated in its circular, “Out of a commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of its dealings and the trust of those who interact with it, as well as to preserve the privacy of work and its employees, and to uphold the highest standards of ethics, respect, and honesty, thereby enhancing the work environment, employee well-being, and stability to achieve the highest levels of professionalism, it has been decided—given the current widespread use of technology and its resulting effects—to issue guidelines that all company employees and contractor workers must adhere to, ensuring the optimal use of technology in line with its intended purpose.”

According to the circular, the company’s employees and contractor workers are prohibited from using various technological means for photography and publishing, whether the photography is personal or involves photographing others with their permission while wearing the official uniform bearing the company’s logo or work identity, or anything containing the company’s logo or trade name.

This applies regardless of the location, whether at the workplace, in public places, or on social media sites, among others, except after obtaining permission from the relevant authorities in the company. In all cases, publishing is prohibited except through official channels.

The circular stated that it is prohibited to photograph others without their permission while they are inside the buildings, facilities, and sites affiliated with the company, or outside the headquarters or work hours if their presence is for a work-related occasion.

It is also prohibited to install and use various technological means for monitoring or eavesdropping on sites, equipment, or devices designated for the worker.

The circular stated that it is prohibited to use various technological means to record meetings and conversations that take place at the workplace or relate to any work-related matter, as well as to broadcast, transcribe, or circulate their content by any means.

Additionally, it is prohibited to photograph documents or work-related papers. Anyone wishing to obtain such materials must follow the procedures established by the relevant authorities within the company. In all cases, it is prohibited to publish these documents or papers.

The company has prohibited filming inside its buildings, facilities, and sites, as well as filming accidents or company operations, except in cases permitted by the nature and requirements of the work and by following the procedures established by the relevant authorities. It is prohibited to publish any filmed material in all cases, except within the limits of legitimate circulation among the competent authorities within the company.

It is prohibited to mention the company’s name or publish content on social media—whether through writing, photography, or making any comments—related to work or that could be interpreted as referring to the company, its employees, or those associated with it.

The company emphasized that its employees and contractor workers must ensure they properly represent the company and act in a manner that respects the company’s reputation, their colleagues, and their privacy when using various technological means and social media. They are also required to inform their direct manager or the compliance officer of any incidents where technological means are used in violation of these prohibitions.

According to the circular, the company has the right to take all disciplinary measures against those who violate the aforementioned rules. The violator is subject to both legal liability (criminal and civil) and disciplinary action. Additionally, the company reserves the right to seek compensation from the violating worker for any damages resulting from the violation.

Safeguarding privacy and reputation

The company confirmed that this circular aims to establish controls ensuring that technology and social media are used by employees and contractor workers in a manner that respects personal freedom and privacy, while also complying with relevant laws and protecting the company’s secrets and data. It called on everyone to adhere to these controls to avoid legal and disciplinary accountability.

The company also urged reporting any incidents where technology is used in violation of these prohibitions through official channels, in order to serve the public interest and protect privacy.