Global Relay has published its annual data report focusing on communication capture trends observed in 2024.

The report is a very useful reference point for compliance and surveillance professionals – particularly those in strategic planning or decision making roles.

One of the findings that caught our attention was the divergence between the US and the UK when it comes to social media communication captured by firms. According to the report, US firms are much more likely to invest in the retention of social media records, particularly the messaging done via the personal LinkedIn accounts of employees.

The report suggests that this may be due to a confluence of factors, including the absence of a regulatory enforcement threat in the UK, coupled with a more relaxed approach to individual data privacy in the US.

SEC Marketing Rule

The report also draws attention to the impact of the SEC’s Marketing Rule introduced in November 2022. The introduction of the rule has led to a 14% increase in the capture of social media and corporate website data in order to ensure compliance with the new recordkeeping requirements connected to advertising and communications with the public.

This is an interesting data point, but also worth noting is the fact that despite the rule now being bedded in and enforced by the SEC, a surprising 47% of US-based firms still do not capture these marketing communication data streams.

Readers are encouraged to download the report, which contains other useful data points as well as predictions for developments in recordkeeping in 2025.

Full disclosure – GRIP is Global Relay’s specialist digital information service.