Can I get charged or sued online for Facebook or Twitter posts?
- — 22 December, 2010 14:11
In Australia, if you have a social networking account such as Facebook or Twitter, or if you use Internet message boards or forums, you are bound by this country's laws when you post material or express yourself. This issue has become readily apparent with the recent '#twitdef' case, which saw an Australian journalist threatened with a defamation lawsuit over her posts on Twitter.
A page on the Australian Media and Communications Authority's Web site provides examples of some online behaviour that could see you in trouble. It also has advice on what to do to avoid any accidental defamation or libel, useful links to government agencies, and information about staying safe online.
For example, the Web site states that if someone declines your friend request on Facebook and you continue to harass them, your behaviour could be considered stalking under Australian law. Similarly, posting videos of illegal activities online means they can be used as evidence against you if you are charged with a crime.
The ACMA Web site also has links to information about copyright, e-crime, and online scams.
Comments
Mick
Thu 23/12/2010 - 17:02
Am I correct in assuming that if I should post a comment that bought into question a persons inability to spell, string a coherent sentence together or have no concept of sentence structure....... could I be sued for defamation??
JW Frogen
Thu 23/12/2010 - 17:25
One would have to be a half wit wallflower to bring stalking charges against some one making many friend requests on Facebook when they can block.
Indeed we are cultivating an entire generation of weak, whining narcissists who do not understand the concept of free speech if they are mortally offended by the speech of others when any person with intellect and backbone would simply ignore speech they do not like or refute that which they find untrue.
Davy Adams
Fri 07/01/2011 - 10:07
Just ask Courtney Love. Fashion designer Dawn Simonrangkir is suing the charming Widow Cobain for ruining her fashion career by Tweeting mean things about her. Apparently Dawn had the audacity to ask for payment for clothing. Evilness ensued. Some might think that sort of publicity is priceless for an up and coming designer, but I'm not that cynical.
mic
Thu 23/12/2010 - 16:38
i dont belive the law should be enforced on the interent by foeign countrys. eg facebook is a american site and the servers are in america so it should stand to reasson it would be governed by american laws. same as if a server is located in russia it should be bound to russian laws.
i dont belive a american site should be there to be upholding australian laws and vice versa
i do hold exceptions to this of course if poeple use this site to commit murder it would be under autralian law but im talking about what people post on the website.
and the thing about declining friend request counts as stalking seems a bit farfetched