How do you protect yourself when purchasing services online? When ordering translations, you send the original documents, which sometimes contain essential or personal information.
Due to the digitalization of our lives, many problems people solve online. It is fast, convenient, and affordable. You can get an urgent translation of a passport, diploma, or medical certificate in a matter of days without visiting the office. Below, we will tell you what to pay attention to when ordering professional translation services and what facts to check when trusting the company.
Transferring Confidential Information on the Internet
Sending personal and business files requires special attention. After reading the information below, you will learn about online ordering risks. We hasten to note that professional agencies usually use data protection measures. These include reliable and proven methods, such as NDA and encryption.
Why is data protection important? Professional translation services are not just a linguistic service. We are talking about working with essential and sometimes secret things:
- Passport data.
- Financial information.
- Medical reports.
- Legal documents.
- Business correspondence and contracts.
- Data leakage or illegal access to such files can lead to serious situations. Among them are legal consequences, reputational losses, financial risks, and identity theft.
Pay attention to which organization you are contacting. Choosing an online service includes assessing the quality of the translation and the level of data protection.
Significant Risks When Ordering a Translation Online
Please understand us correctly. We are not trying to scare the reader. The online space and professional translation services exist to make life and many tasks more manageable. Armed with information, you can easily avoid unpleasant confrontations.
Remember the following possible situations:
- Transferring files via unsecured channels. When a website does not use HTTPS or other encryption, third parties can intercept data.
- Unsecured storage of documents. Some small or unscrupulous agencies do not take the time and effort to delete or securely store the source files after completing the order.
- Third-party access. There are fraudulent activities, and unscrupulous contractors use other people’s documents for personal purposes.
- Lack of confidentiality agreement (NDA). It is good that there are trust agencies such as Rapid Translate, which sign an NDA with each employee. What this gives the client is that he has the legal right to file a lawsuit if one of the agency’s employees transfers your originals or data.
There is always an opportunity to avoid unpleasant situations or conduct preventive protection. Many trust companies do this and devote a lot of time to it.
How Good Professional Translation Services Solve Problems
Agencies working internationally, building a whole protection system. Among the methods are:
- SSL encryption. Information exchange between the client and the website is carried out via a secure, protected connection. These simple measures prevent unscrupulous people from intercepting files or payment information.
- A closed system for managing new and old orders. Protected internal admin panels or platforms only allow authorized employees access to source files. All actions are recorded in logs, which eliminates illegal situations.
- Deleting files after completing an order is a good measure if you do not have an admin panel. Automatic deletion of original scans and final copies reduces the risk of saving them on servers.
- Signing an NDA. This standard legal document obliges all parties to the project to maintain complete confidentiality.
- Employee training and internal control. Reputable trust companies cooperate with proven translators. They undergo internal training regarding data processing standards. A system of double proofreading and limited access is practiced, excluding the transfer of documents to other untrained people.
It is how firms can work. Now, let’s find out what you can do to protect yourself.
What the Client Should Do
You can also contribute to improving the situation and personal peace of mind. Here are some recommendations from our editor:
- Check for an SSL certificate. It is very easy to do. The company’s website address should begin with https://.
- Read the privacy policy on the professional translation services website.
- Request an NDA if required by management or business partners.
- Delete uploaded information from your account, if possible.
- Do not send documents via instant messengers and email without proper encryption.
Conclusions: There are companies on the market that are worthy of trust. Now you know what to pay attention to before cooperation.
Afterword
By checking the points we have indicated above, you can avoid dishonest companies. The process will take you no more than 15 minutes, even considering communication with the website consultant.
We recommend reading reviews about the agency and clarifying important information with the employees. If you cooperate with companies like Rapid Translate, they usually have an account where you can manage files. It instills even more confidence.
Use all the benefits and services online, because with them you save time. Most companies behave responsibly towards customers. Choose average prices and get safety and quality.