Does Christies International Real Estate require franchisees to use encryption for their computer systems?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5.1. Development of the Business. Before you begin operating the Business, you will:
(b) have a working Computer System;
**5.14.
Compliance with Laws and Good Business Practices**.
You must comply with all laws and regulations relating to privacy and data protection and must comply with any privacy policies or data protection and breach response policies we periodically may establish.
You must notify us immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with the Business.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Christies International Real Estate FDD, while the document does not explicitly state that franchisees must use encryption for their computer systems, it does state that franchisees must have a working computer system before operating the business.
Furthermore, Christies International Real Estate requires franchisees to comply with all laws and regulations relating to privacy and data protection and must comply with any privacy policies or data protection and breach response policies that Christies International Real Estate may periodically establish. Franchisees must also notify Christies International Real Estate immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with the business.
Given the sensitivity of real estate transactions and client data, it is highly probable that Christies International Real Estate's data protection policies, as outlined in the Operations Manual, would include specific security measures for the computer systems, possibly including encryption. A prospective franchisee should clarify these requirements with the franchisor to ensure full compliance.