Social Media Law Archives - Page 5 of 6

Twitter Jitters: Can What You Tweet About Police Land You in Jail?

Law.com: “”SWAT teams rolling down 5th Ave. … Report received that police are nabbing anyone that looks like a protester. … Stay alert watch your friends!” Pennsylvania State Police arrested New York social worker Elliot Madison last month for being part of a group that posted messages like those on Twitter. The arrest took place in a Pittsburgh motel during protests at the Group of 20 summit. In all, almost 5,000 protesters demonstrated throughout the city during two days, and about 200 were arrested for disorderly conduct.

But Madison wasn’t among those protesting on the street. Instead, published reports say he was part of a behind-the-scenes communications team using Twitter to “direct others, specifically protesters of the G-20 summit, in order to avoid apprehension after a lawful order to disperse.” A week later, FBI agents spent 16 hours in Madison’s home executing a search warrant for evidence of federal anti-rioting law violations.”

Facebook Poke Causes Arrest for Violating an Order of Protection

Law.com: “A court issued a protective order prohibiting Shannon D. Jackson of Hendersonville, Tenn., from ‘telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with’ another Hendersonville woman, either ‘directly or indirectly.’ On Friday, Sept. 25, Jackson was ‘extremely shocked’ when police arrested her for allegedly violating the order. Authorities in Hendersonville say that Jackson was arrested for ‘poking’ the other woman on Facebook.”

Freeze: It’s the Twitter Police!

Wall St. Journal: “What Eliot Ness was to mobsters and Inspector Clouseau was to fictional jewel thieves, Brendan Wilhide is to Twitter. Yes, the popular social-networking tool now has an enforcer—public-relations specialist by day, Internet private eye by night. With more than one-third of the NBA, hundreds of NFL players and scores of major leaguers on Twitter, Mr. Wilhide spends several hours a day determining which athletes’ accounts are phonies and which are legit. When he confirms imposter “tweets”—the short text messages sent out to people who sign up for Twitter updates—he posts an alert on his Web site, SportsIn140.com.”

Facebook Sued for Refusing to Remove Content

Citizen Media Law Project: “Disbarred Florida attorney and critic of the video game industry Jack Thompson, proceeding pro se, filed a complaint against Facebook, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 29, 2009. The Complaint asserts three counts against Facebook for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress, and Negligent Supervision based on Facebook’s failure to remove certain postings advocating violence against Mr. Thompson. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages ‘in excess of ten million dollars and punitive damages in excess of thirty million dollars’ for each count.”

See the complaint filed by the plaintiff.

Cyberbullying Bill Gets Chilly Reception

Wired.com: “Proposed legislation demanding up to two years in prison for electronic speech meant to ‘coerce, intimidate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to a person’ was met with little enthusiasm by a House subcommittee on Wednesday. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California) lobbied fellow lawmakers of a House Judiciary subcommittee to back her proposed legislation dubbed the ‘Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act.’ In its first congressional hearing, Sanchez said the proposal was designed to target the cyberbullying that led to the 2006 suicide of the 13-year-old Meier of Missouri.”