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In January WhatsApp announced that it is changing its data policies so that the users only options are either to agree to their data policy and make data about them available to Facebook, the owner of WhatsApp, and any of its chosen third parties or not use the service. Grant Thornton Baltic's Head of Data Protection and Cybersecurity Maili Torma opens up the subject.

On 16 July 2020, the European Union Court of Justice (CJEU) passed judgment C-311/18 (Schrems II), invalidating the US-EU certificate programme Privacy Shield, which ensures data transmission security.

In addition to the pandemic the 2020 is memorable as the year or record growth in cybercrime. According to the FBI the USA companies have reported a 400% growth in cyber-attacks and 68% more companies reported of fraud.

The restrictions established due to the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted transfer pricing within international corporations. Even if the restrictions were to be eased, undertakings would face major uncertainty about risks and comparables for determining market value.

Most companies view an IT audit as an expense, but experts say in reality, it helps companies to save money – especially if it’s conducted at the right time. An IT audit is a possibility to obtain an external view of the information system in current use.

To give people freedom and responsibility in their work, these values must be a part of organisational culture. The precondition is a working environment where failures and mistakes are allowed and instead of routine feedback there is also feedthrough, says Grant Thornton Baltic’s Head of People & Culture, Marge Litvinova, who shares her experiences and knowledge in more detail.

The employer has an obligation to ensure the safety of its employee, but in the conditions of a home office, a legal requirement may become absurd, it was stated on Äripäev raadio’s ,,Kasvukursil’’.

The spread of the coronavirus has brought a leap in the adoption and utilisation of e-commerce, but when moving your business online, it is necessary to first consider taxes, marketing and the choice of business model.

A CRM software provides a company with a comprehensive overview of its customer data and relationships, thus, supporting both sales and marketing. As a result, both the company's sales activities and internal efficiency improve. Grant Thornton Baltic's Digital Marketing Strategist Erik Suits has made a practical comparison of the most used CRM sustems. Find out more!

This summer, the state suspended its payments to the second pension pillar of working people. During October, however, people will be able to decide whether or not to continue paying 2% of their gross salary to the pension fund. Kaia Salu, Group Manager of Grant Thornton Baltic's Outsourcing department, opens the subject in her article.

Every entrepreneur, as well as an individual, can be involved in money laundering, even without knowing or realizing it themselves, according to Äripäev's radio program "Kasvukursil". Read about hot topics in money laundering.

Experience has shown that not all creditors analyze the creditworthiness of consumers as they should, control activities sometimes remain superficial and therefore do not serve the purpose – ensuring that the borrower is able to repay the loan under the terms agreed. Merili Kiipus, Grant Thornton Baltic's Business Risk Analyst investigates further.

In a crisis, the internal control system must remain a priority. In order not to find yourself fighting the consequences of corruption and fraud after a crisis situation, it is worth knowing what the company's so-called Three Lines of Defense are. Read more from the article by Tuulikki Uluots, Grant Thornton Baltic's adviser of business risk services.

COVID-19 led to a crisis that has accelerated the changes that were actually taking place even before the so – called era of social distancing. Those with the automation and digital sales channel in the DNA of their business model are emerging stronger from the crisis than before. Among others, the race for the rest of the market is likely to begin. Read more about the topic in an article by Grant Thornton Baltic's Legal and Financial Manager Marko Rebane.

Amendments to the Labour Market Services and Benefits Act (hereinafter LMSBA) and the Unemployment Insurance Act create the possibility of temporary employment, in other words, accepting temporary job offers during registered unemployment, plus unemployment allowance and unemployment insurance benefit increase. Grant Thornton Baltic's legal manager Kristel Tiits and legal adviser Lee Laanemäe explain the details in their article.

Remote work due to the coronavirus in companies is becoming a new positive trend, which is difficult to reverse, but both companies and employees will benefit from adapting to it, according to Äripäev’s radio program “Kasvukursil”. Grant Thornton Baltic's HR manager Marge Litvinova, IT-manager Arko Kurg and Partner of digital services Vladimir Rüntü discuss the plusses and minuses and possibilites and threats of working in different places such as the office, home offive or office abroad.