The threat of litigation has led over half of UK organisations to restrict employee access to social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, according to the 2009 Litigation Trends survey conducted by law firm Fulbright & Jaworski.

Almost one in five (18%) of UK firms reported that they have had to produce information from social networking sites as a result of a legal request in the past year.

Research by eDiscovery search firm Recommind suggests that this is compounded by the lack of guidelines surrounding the use of social networking tools in 89% of UK workplaces.

“It is no longer enough just to block employee access to certain sites,” said Craig Carpenter, Recommind VP and general counsel. “These tools are pervasive and staff will always find a way around any restrictions.”

See also: Social networking sparking corporate paranoia