--- title: Theta Lake Blog | Susannah Hammond (3) description: "Susannah Hammond is senior regulatory intelligence expert for Thomson Reuters with more than 25 years of wide-ranging compliance, regulatory and risk experience in international and UK financial services. She is co-author of \"Conduct and Accountability in Financial Services: A Practical Guide\" published by Bloomsbury Professional. (3)" --- [![Theta Lake](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Theta_Lake_June2018/Images/new-logo.png) ![Theta Lake](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Theta_Lake_June2018/Images/TL_logo_transparent.png)](https://thetalake.com) - Solutions - [Call Recording](https://thetalake.com/solutions/call-recording/) - [Compliance Training](https://thetalake.com/solutions/employee-compliance-enablement/) - [Data Loss Protection](https://thetalake.com/data-loss-protection/) - [Safe Collaboration](https://thetalake.com/safe-collaboration/) - [Video Conferencing](https://thetalake.com/solutions/video-monitoring/) - [Video Marketing](https://thetalake.com/solutions/video-marketing/) - [Product](https://thetalake.com/theta-lake-product-portfolio/) - [Unified Capture](https://thetalake.com/products/unified-capture/) - [Unified Search, Discovery and Replay](https://thetalake.com/products/unified-search-discovery-and-replay/) - [Proactive Compliance](https://thetalake.com/products/proactive-compliance/) - [Integrations](https://thetalake.com/integrations/) - [Archive Integrations](https://thetalake.com/integrations/archive-integration/) - [Collaboration Platforms](https://thetalake.com/integrations/collaboration-platforms-integrations/) - [Video Content Management](https://thetalake.com/integrations/video-content-management-integrations/) - [Resources](https://thetalake.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://blog.thetalake.com/) - [About](https://thetalake.com/about/) - [News](https://thetalake.com/about/#news) - [We’re Hiring](https://thetalake.com/about/#hiring) - [Contact Us](https://thetalake.com/contact-us/) - [Request a Demo](https://thetalake.com/request-a-demo/) ## Theta Lake Blog ## Susannah Hammond ![Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Headshot-Susannah-Hammond.jpeg) Susannah Hammond is senior regulatory intelligence expert for Thomson Reuters with more than 25 years of wide-ranging compliance, regulatory and risk experience in international and UK financial services. She is co-author of "Conduct and Accountability in Financial Services: A Practical Guide" published by Bloomsbury Professional. Find me on: ### Recent Posts ## [More Firms Are Fined for the ‘Widespread and Longstanding’ Use of Unmonitored Communications Channels](https://blog.thetalake.com/more-firms-are-fined-for-the-widespread-and-longstanding-use-of-unmonitored-communications-channels) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on May 15, 2023 8:57:18 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/NEW_useofunmonitoredcommunicationschannels_Blog_2023_.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/more-firms-are-fined-for-the-widespread-and-longstanding-use-of-unmonitored-communications-channels) The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have fined three firms, two in the same group for ‘widespread and longstanding’ failures by the firms and their employees to maintain and preserve electronic communications. To settle the SEC charges, both firms acknowledged that their conduct violated recordkeeping provisions and agreed to pay penalties of [$15 million](https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2023/34-97476.pdf) and [$7.5m,](https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2023/34-97477.pdf) respectively. In related actions, the CFTC brought cases against two firms in the same group for failing to maintain, preserve, or produce records, and failing to diligently supervise matters related to their businesses. The firms were fined [$15 million](https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNmdGMuZ292L21lZGlhLzg1NDYvZW5mYmFua29mbm92YXNjb3RpYW9yZGVyMDUxMTIzL2Rvd25sb2FkP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTExLjc2NTY2NzcxIn0.XJrtJsGXEbB3x4-JIuhHWMYscIMr8H8woO4bUw6JXZs/s/2909254751/br/185444489915-l). The CFTC also fined a firm [$30 million](https://www.cftc.gov/media/8596/enfhsbcbanketalorder051223/download) regarding recordkeeping and supervision failures for the widespread use of unapproved communication methods. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/more-firms-are-fined-for-the-widespread-and-longstanding-use-of-unmonitored-communications-channels) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/more-firms-are-fined-for-the-widespread-and-longstanding-use-of-unmonitored-communications-channels#comments-listing) ## [The Crypto Winter Is Spotlighting The Use Of Chat](https://blog.thetalake.com/the-crypto-winter-is-spotlighting-the-use-of-chat) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on May 8, 2023 9:27:38 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/CRYPTO_Blog_2023.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/the-crypto-winter-is-spotlighting-the-use-of-chat) The demise of multiple crypto firms has prompted regulators around the world to undertake in depth investigations into the governance, risk management and compliance arrangements in place at firms such as [Binance](https://www.cftc.gov/media/8351/%20enfbinancecomplaint032723/download).  [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/the-crypto-winter-is-spotlighting-the-use-of-chat) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/the-crypto-winter-is-spotlighting-the-use-of-chat#comments-listing) ## [UK PRA joins other global regulators fining firm £8M for failure to capture messaging content](https://blog.thetalake.com/uk-pra-joins-other-global-regulators-fining-firm-8m-for-failure-to-capture-messaging-content) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Apr 18, 2023 9:07:03 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/UK%20PRA_Blog_2023%20(1).png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/uk-pra-joins-other-global-regulators-fining-firm-8m-for-failure-to-capture-messaging-content) The UK Prudential Regulation Authority has [censured](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/-/media/boe/files/prudential-regulation/regulatory-action/final-notice-from-pra-to-wyelands-bank-plc) a bank for wide-ranging significant regulatory failings between December 2016 and May 2020, which spanned breaches relating to large exposure limits, capital reporting, governance and risk controls and PRA Own Initiative Requirements (OIREQs) and, for the first time, failure to capture and retain WhatsApp messages. The seriousness of the breaches justified a fine of £8,515,000, however, since the bank is in wind-down the PRA imposed a public censure as a warning shot to the industry more broadly. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/uk-pra-joins-other-global-regulators-fining-firm-8m-for-failure-to-capture-messaging-content) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/uk-pra-joins-other-global-regulators-fining-firm-8m-for-failure-to-capture-messaging-content#comments-listing) ## [When Posting an Emoji is a Securities Violation](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-posting-an-emoji-is-a-securities-violation) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Apr 11, 2023 8:32:45 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Emoji_Blog_2023-1.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-posting-an-emoji-is-a-securities-violation) When is a rocket ship not a rocket ship? When it is cited in a legal case[alleging](https://assets.bwbx.io/documents/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/rNL9SOS91Xgo/v0) a firm and its control person violated U.S. securities laws by offering for sale to the public certain non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”) without filing the required registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The use of emojis was specifically called out as meaning there was an expectation of profit for the NFT issuance, which was then deemed to be an investment contract (\*known as the Howey Test).  Although the literal word “profit” was not used in any of the organization's Tweets, the “rocket ship” emoji, “stock chart” emoji, and “money bags” emoji were included and, objectively, mean one thing: a financial return on investment. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-posting-an-emoji-is-a-securities-violation) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-posting-an-emoji-is-a-securities-violation#comments-listing) ## [When It Comes To Modern Communications, Data Protection Is Now More Important Than Ever](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-it-comes-to-modern-communications-data-protection-is-now-more-important-than-ever) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Jan 23, 2023 1:17:53 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Blog%20image.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-it-comes-to-modern-communications-data-protection-is-now-more-important-than-ever) [Data protection](https://thetalake.com/solutions/data-loss-protection/)is now more important than ever. Given the new ways of working and communicating there are increasing amounts of personally identifiable information (PII) and personal health information (PHI) data shared across communication platforms and firms are expected to be able to capture and retain safely as well as retrieve and delete personal data. Critical issues that should take center stage in data privacy week. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-it-comes-to-modern-communications-data-protection-is-now-more-important-than-ever) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/when-it-comes-to-modern-communications-data-protection-is-now-more-important-than-ever#comments-listing) ## [Regulatory Perspectives by Theta Lake: FINRA’s continuing focus on communications compliance](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-by-theta-lake-finras-continuing-focus-on-communications-compliance) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Jan 19, 2023 7:32:09 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Regulatory%20Perspectives%20by%20Theta%20Lake%20FINRAs%20continuing%20focus%20on%20communications%20compliance%20(1).png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-by-theta-lake-finras-continuing-focus-on-communications-compliance) The last quarter of 2022 saw FINRA continue its focus on communications compliance. Four brokers and a compliance officer faced disciplinary action for a range of breaches of their approach to supervision and an inability to retrieve phone records. For the key lessons to be learnt together with more detail of the enforcement please click [**here.**](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Regulatory_perspectives_by_theta_lake%20_enforcement_lessons_from_finra_focus_on_communications_compliance_jan2023.pdf)  At a high level the disciplinary actions resulted in censures, a 40 day prohibition, fines totalling over $2m, restitution of nearly $50,000 and wide ranging remedial actions. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-by-theta-lake-finras-continuing-focus-on-communications-compliance) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-by-theta-lake-finras-continuing-focus-on-communications-compliance#comments-listing) ## [Regulatory Perspectives From Theta Lake: UK market abuse £5m fine, lessons for communications compliance](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-uk-market-abuse-5m-fine-lessons-for-communications-compliance) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Dec 15, 2022 7:56:49 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/2-Dec-14-2022-06-24-00-1983-PM.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-uk-market-abuse-5m-fine-lessons-for-communications-compliance) #### **UK regulator fines a trio of brokers almost £5m for failing to have appropriate communications compliance processes in place to fulfil market abuse obligations** [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-uk-market-abuse-5m-fine-lessons-for-communications-compliance) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-uk-market-abuse-5m-fine-lessons-for-communications-compliance#comments-listing) ## [THETA LAKE’S PREDICTIONS 2023](https://blog.thetalake.com/theta-lake-predictions-2023) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Nov 29, 2022 8:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/New%20blog%20Theta%20Lake%20predictions%20(1).jpg)](https://blog.thetalake.com/theta-lake-predictions-2023) Theta Lake has taken a look in its crystal ball to consider what is likely to be a priority for firms in 2023. What is crystal clear is that now, more than ever, organizations need a modern approach to compliance and security across their modern unified communications (UC) like [Zoom](https://thetalake.com/integrations/zoom/) , [Microsoft Teams](https://thetalake.com/integrations/microsoft/) , [Webex by Cisco](https://thetalake.com/integrations/webex/) , [RingCentral](https://thetalake.com/integrations/ringcentral/) and [Slack](https://thetalake.com/integrations/slack/) to not only tackle today’s challenges but also thrive into the future. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/theta-lake-predictions-2023) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/theta-lake-predictions-2023#comments-listing) ## [Regulatory Perspectives From Theta Lake: Analysis on the U.S. DOJ's new Compliance Guidance for Prosecutors](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-analysis-on-the-u.s.-doj-new-compliance-guidance-for-prosecutors) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Oct 18, 2022 9:33:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Regulatory%20Perspective%20Susannah%20Hammond1.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-analysis-on-the-u.s.-doj-new-compliance-guidance-for-prosecutors) # Digesting and implementing the U.S. DOJ’s new compliance guidance for prosecutors on the use of personal devices and third party apps | **At a glance** The DOJ has expanded its [Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs](https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/page/file/937501/download) and identified several additional hallmarks of an effective compliance program including: - Effective policies and procedures governing the use of personal devices and third-party messaging platforms to ensure that business-related electronic data and communications are preserved  - ‘Clear training’ provided to all employees about such policies (the 2020 guidance also stipulates that organizations should measure the effectiveness of training), and - Policies enforced when violations are identified | | --- | [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-analysis-on-the-u.s.-doj-new-compliance-guidance-for-prosecutors) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/regulatory-perspectives-from-theta-lake-analysis-on-the-u.s.-doj-new-compliance-guidance-for-prosecutors#comments-listing) ## [Fintech, regtech and the role of compliance in 2022: Challenges arising from technological opportunities](https://blog.thetalake.com/fintech-regtech-and-the-role-of-compliance-in-2022-challenges-arising-from-technological-opportunities) Posted by [Susannah Hammond](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond) on Feb 8, 2022 5:00:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://blog.thetalake.com/hubfs/Blog-Guest%20Post%20-%20Thomson%20Reuters.png)](https://blog.thetalake.com/fintech-regtech-and-the-role-of-compliance-in-2022-challenges-arising-from-technological-opportunities) Digital transformation has been a fundamental enabler for financial services firms. It is hard to underestimate the opportunities and regulatory benefits firms can derive from the implementation of technological solutions but maximising their potential can present challenges. Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence's sixth annual survey and report on fintech, regtech and the role of compliance explores these challenges, particularly in the context of corporate governance and risk management. [Read More](https://blog.thetalake.com/fintech-regtech-and-the-role-of-compliance-in-2022-challenges-arising-from-technological-opportunities) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://blog.thetalake.com/fintech-regtech-and-the-role-of-compliance-in-2022-challenges-arising-from-technological-opportunities#comments-listing) Topics: [compliance](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/compliance), [regtech](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/regtech), [supervision](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/supervision), [monitoring](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/monitoring), [return to work](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/return-to-work), [regulations](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/regulations), [communications](https://blog.thetalake.com/tag/communications) [Previous](https://blog.thetalake.com/author/susannah-hammond/page/2) [All posts](https://blog.thetalake.com/all) Comment Here Theta Lake provides security and compliance for modern collaboration platforms using frictionless partner integrations with Cisco Webex, Microsoft Teams, RingCentral, Slack, Zoom, and more. Using patented machine learning and NLP, Theta Lake detects risks in: video, voice, chat, and document content across what is shared, shown, spoken, and typed. Those risks are surfaced in an AI-assisted, patent-pending review workspace that adds consistency, efficiency, and scale for security and compliance teams. All of this enables organizations to safely realize the full ROI of a collaboration-first workplace while reducing the cost of security and compliance. [www.thetalake.com](http://www.thetalake.com) ### Subscribe here to stay up to date! COPYRIGHT 2025 THETA LAKE, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. [PRIVACY POLICY](https://thetalake.com/privacy-policy/).