Using WhatsApp for communications with clients?

Is having a WhatsApp group for C-19 updates for clients a good idea - thinking GDPR issues?

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I heard a good idea yesterday that practices are using WhatsApp as a way of keeping clients up to date with all things C-19. However, I'm now feeling worried about it 'biting me on the bum' with GDPR as clients names and numbers will be available? We've sent out a couple of emails but it's tricky getting everything across in a simple way when there's daily updates ... What are other practices doing?

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By Mr_awol
02nd Apr 2020 10:50

If there is an app or online resource that will send whatsapps to individual numbers then fine.

Surely you aren't planning on setting up a group on your phone with all your clients in it?!?!?! Apart from anything else when they all reply 'thanks' it will drive the other (insert number of clients here) bananas.

One of my clients is already complaining about being spammed by another local firm (his previous accountant still has him on their system)

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By John Stone
02nd Apr 2020 11:08

Not sure GDPR is such a big issue just now. People are taking stuff home which might have been a sackable offence a few weeks ago. Common sense is back on the agenda.

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By insolventnl
02nd Apr 2020 11:10

You can do this via whatsapp

It call 'Braodcast Lits'

This way you can form a group but members in the group can not see each others numbers.
You send a message and all of them get it

HOWEVER if someone replies then ony you get it - its not broad cast to the group

So if you ooking to get a group convo going then its not good

But if its soley to communicate and let them ask you individual questions then this could work

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Replying to insolventnl:
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By annettedwyer
02nd Apr 2020 11:55

That's a fantastic help thank you

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RLI
By lionofludesch
02nd Apr 2020 11:23

GDPR is solved by consent, if you want to do it.

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blue sheep
By NH
02nd Apr 2020 13:17

could you be sure that all (or at least the majority of clients) use whatsapp? - we chose email updates as every single client has an email address.
On the email updates it says - if you wish to contact us by whatsapp here is the number.

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John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
06th Apr 2020 11:26

Lucy Cohen and Glenn Martin may be the source of this idea. They talked about it in last week's Audience Q&A with Rebecca Benneyworth:
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/aweblivecoronavirusq&a

We're just working up a summary article of what they said, but you can see for yourself by watching. Rebecca Benneyworth talks about the technical details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme first. If you want to skip that bit, Glenn starts talking about his client support methods around 27mins in.

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By [email protected]
07th Apr 2020 11:25

The ICO has made it clear that GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 will still apply - see https://ico.org.uk/global/data-protection-and-coronavirus-information-hub/
ICAEW guidance also available
https://www.icaew.com/insights/coronavirus/working-from-home

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