Facebook, Twitter, My Space. These are all social networking sites that
have become parts of everyday life for more and more of us in the last
two years. While these sites have many positive aspects, such as allowing
us to stay close to far off friends, there are things you must keep in mind.
First, comments made on these sites may become public. Be careful about
what you say. This is not your personal diary. Broadcasting items can
harm your safety or (as I will discuss later) impact litigation. Do you
really need to tell what could behundreds of people that you are going
to be gone for a 3 week vacation? This may not be something you want the
world to know.
I have dealt with negative issues regarding social networking sites in
litigation. If you are involved in a lawsuit, you need to know that statements
made by you on such sites can be obtained by the opposing attorney, and
thus, reviewed by the Court. Statements regarding affairs, desires to
harm you spouse (no matter how tongue and cheek they may be), or personal
opinions about the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the Judge can come
back and haunt you.
So, keep tweeting, facebooking, and posting to My Space, but remember,
in our increasingly technologically advanced society, very little we say
is guaranteed to stay private.
Social Networking - Legal Issues
Posted By
Patton & Pittman