New federal rules require companies to audit IMs

Companies that do not keep close tabs on PDAs, instant message
conversations and other forms of electronic data may soon be in for a
nasty surprise, should they find themselves in court. As of December 1,
2006, new guidelines, called the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, go
into effect. The rules, set by the U.S. Supreme Court, expand the types
of electronically stored information that companies could be required
to produce in a lawsuit. That means companies will now be on the hook to retain and produce a
broader range of digital data than before. Flash drives, voice-mail
systems and instant message archives will all be added to the mix..........More