The rise of social media is having ’devastating consequences’ on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who are suffering reputational damage when communities turn against them. The BBC has reported that one such business has been damaged by comments made in an ”untrue and misleading” social media campaign over hygiene standards. Takings are said to have dropped … Continue reading »
As you may have guessed, I am a firm believer in the power social media has to enhance your career and your professional prospects. I was therefore flattered and pleased to have been referenced in an article by Christelle McCracken and Anthony Lyons as they discuss the importance of devloping a positive social media identity. “The best … Continue reading »
Lawyers and other professionals often tell me they don’t have time for twitter or social media. They might have families or personal lives which keep them occupied and don’t believe me when I tell them how quick and easy it can be. So, I asked a tweeting friend, lawyer and mum of two to write … Continue reading »
It has been reported that a serving police officer who sent offensive tweets following the death of Margaret Thatcher has resigned his position. Metropolitan Police Sergeant Jeremy Scott, had taken to Twitter to make ‘unacceptable’ comments. He is reported to have said that he hoped Lady Thatcher’s death was “painful and degrading”, was “87 years … Continue reading »
It has been reported that 17 year old Paris Brown has now resigned from her position. The’youth police commissioner’ in Kent has come under intense scrutiny following the discovery of offensive tweets after only 3 days in the job. Initially it was thought that Paris Brown would remain in her post despite the now-deleted tweets … Continue reading »
Dominic Grieve QC, the Attorney General, has recently been speaking out about the use of social media and advocating a zero tolerance approach. When I met with him we discussed this and how his own position might be seen to be at odds with some of his colleagues in public office. Dominic Grieve has enjoyed a steady … Continue reading »
Frequently, employees who are accused of inappropriate behaviour on social media sites will blame someone else. “I didn’t write that” may sometimes seem like a convenient passing of the buck, but online identity theft – however temporary – is very real and can have serious consequences. You may not be familiar with such vulgar words … Continue reading »
Google, Facebook and Twitter have now been served with injunctions by the Police ordering them to remove photographs purporting to be of Jon Venables. This follows the announcement from the Attorney General’s office on Monday which threatened contempt of court proceedings against those individuals who originally posted or subequently retweeted the photos. The photos uploaded … Continue reading »
What should an employer do if a story relating to one of its employees is made public through the press? An article in the London Evening Standard recently exposed a Transport for London worker who had made racist and anti-Muslim comments on his Facebook page. The story, investigated by the Standard following a tip-off, details a number … Continue reading »
The Court of Appeal in London has suggested that Google and other online platforms may be liable for defamatory comments posted by users of their websites. The ruling confirmed that websites must act on complaints reasonably quickly to maintain their status as mere “facilitators” rather than publishers, which would expose them to greater liability for libellous comments posted … Continue reading »
