Only 23.2% of Companies Have Rules on Employees’ Private SNS Use, With Gaps by Size and Industry

Teikoku Databank conducted a corporate survey on whether companies have internal rules restricting employees’ personal social media posts that could damage corporate credibility. The survey found that only 23.2% of companies have established rules to address risks such as information leaks and online backlash caused by employees’ private use of social media. Many companies have not introduced such rules, citing reliance on employees’ personal ethics and common sense, or concerns that rules may become merely formal. Responses also varied significantly by company size and industry. The survey was conducted online from May 8 to May 12, 2026, with valid responses from 1,355 companies. When asked whether they had internal rules restricting posts on employees’ personal social media accounts that could damage corporate credibility, 23.2% answered that they had such rules, remaining at only about one-fifth of all companies. Some companies said they stipulate prevention of information leaks via social media in employment rules, while others provide education on the risks of private SNS use based on internal codes of conduct. Meanwhile, 36.8% said they had no rules but were considering them, and 32.0% said they had no plans to establish rules. Together, these accounted for nearly 70%, indicating that many companies have yet to prepare such rules. Some respondents said guidance alone has become insufficient year by year and that they are considering rulemaking. Others said it is difficult to decide how much to restrict and how much to leave to employee autonomy. Some also questioned whether rules would have any meaningful deterrent effect. By company size, differences in responses to employees’ SNS posts were pronounced. Among large companies, 50.5% said they had rules, while among small companies the figure was only 9.8%, below 10%. Conversely, 43.0% of small companies said they had no plans to establish rules, compared with 17.2% of large companies. By industry, service businesses, which tend to have more contact with general consumers, showed a relatively high share of companies with rules, at 27.9%. The results suggest a substantial gap in risk management attitudes toward employees’ SNS posts depending on company size and industry. The survey highlights major disparities in corporate responses to risks such as confidential information leaks, defamation, and inappropriate video posts through social media. Companies that have already established rules account for only around 20%, while nearly 70% have not. Small companies with insufficient measures, as well as companies relying on individual ethics and common sense, face the challenge of preparing for management risks such as legal liability and loss of social trust. Going forward, companies will need more than simple warnings. Concrete guidelines and effective internet literacy education will be essential. In an era where online backlash can cause serious damage to sales and recruitment, establishing rules as urgent defensive measures to protect the organization while respecting employee privacy has become a pressing issue for companies of all sizes.