Metadata: is it in your attorney’s vocabulary?

Web Worker Daily » Archive ADrive: Big Bucket of Free Storage «
“… There are a few minor catches to the plan: their required registration includes your full address and phone number, their uploader is a java tool, and they reserve the right to share metadata about your files with partners - which implies context-sensitive advertising in the future. But if you need somewhere to park a bunch of data online without paying for it, the size here is hard to beat. …”

This is a test. It is pass/fail. You are an attorney. You are about to backup client files to online storage. As you actually read the pop-up terms of service agreement, you come across “provider reserves the right to share metadata about your files with partners…”.

Do you –
a) “accept” and go forward;
b) pause a minute to call your nephew to ask “what is metadata”; or
c) close your web browser on the service wanting your metadata.

If you chose “a” you should go ahead and call your nephew, then call your insurer and ask something like “is it okay if I post privileged client information on my website, just in case someone might find it useful?” Because guess what, the difference is only one of degree.

You use computers in your practice, so metadata is a fact of life. Start learning about it. You are a fiduciary.