Blackberry 2012 Annual Report Download - page 269

We Participate in Social Media Responsibly
We recognize that the Internet provides unique opportunities to listen, learn and engage with stakeholders using a wide variety of
social media. Such media include blogs, micro blogs such as Twitter®, social networking sites such as Facebook® and LinkedIn®,
wikis, photo/video sharing sites and chat rooms. We should always remember that electronic messages are permanent, transferable
records of our communications that can greatly affect RIM’s reputation. This means that we must follow all RIM policies and
procedures when using social media. We must never give the appearance of speaking or acting on our Company’s behalf unless we
are authorized to do so.
If you believe you have witnessed the inappropriate use of RIM technologies or electronic communications on social media, notify
your manager or team lead immediately. If you have any questions about who may communicate on a given issue, or whether a
communication is appropriate, please see our Corporate Disclosure Policy and Social Media Engagement Policy.
Q: Lindsay is a market analyst at RIM. A leading expert network has recently approached her to share her insight on the wireless
industry. Lindsay thinks this is a great opportunity to make connections and increase her public profile. As part of her responsibilities
in this role, she releases information initially obtained for RIM on her Twitter feed—including RIM information typically considered
confidential in our industry. Has she done anything wrong?
A: Yes. In fact, there are several issues associated with this. First, Lindsay must be careful not to speak publicly about RIM or its
products when not specifically appointed by our Company to do so. Releasing RIM confidential information to the public is always a
violation of our Code, whether it occurs within or outside of our Company. It may also have insider trading implications. Lindsay
should have first disclosed, and obtained approval for, this activity under the Conflict of Interest section of this Code. Now, she must
immediately notify her manager or team lead of her relationship with the expert network, as well as disclosure of confidential
information to Corporate Security at [e-mail] or to the IT Service Desk. For additional information, please see our
Corporate Disclosure Policy and Insider Trading Policy.
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