7 Top Developments in Social Media and the Law
Over the past dozen years or so, social media has certainly made its mark on the legal profession. Lawyers now connect with clients on Facebook, release legal podcasts, and some even have an Instagram account.
But social media's reach stretches well beyond legal marketing; social networks have changed the law itself, along with the way lawyers practice. Here's how.
1. 13 Areas Where Social Media Is Shaping the Legal Practice
Sure, you know about hashtags for lawyers. But what about social media's impact on antitrust litigation, now that banter on Twitter can raise antitrust concerns? Or bankruptcy proceedings, where hidden assets might be discovered through an Instagram account? And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
2. Ninth Circuit Vastly Expands Reach of Federal Anti-Hacking Law
Could misuse of Facebook constitute hacking? Possibly, according to two recent rulings by the Ninth Circuit. In two cases decided this July, the appellate court interpreted the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act broadly to encompass password sharing and the unauthorized use of social media.
3. Another Lawsuit Against Facebook Over 'Material Support' of Terrorism
Websites are generally protected against liability for content posted by their users. But now that social media platforms have been adopted by terrorist groups as a means of recruiting and organizing, some victims are taking a different tack, suing social media companies for materially supporting terrorist activities.
4. Tricky Lawyer Turns Defamation Battle Into Copyright Dispute
When you get a negative review online, what are you to do? For one attorney in Massachusetts, the solution was to sue his reviewer for defamation, then to convince the court to award him ownership over the negative post's copyright, in order to force the review site to remove it.
5. Senate Demands Answers About 'Bias' in Facebook News Trends
Social media is becoming one of the main ways people learn about the world: an article posted on Facebook shapes your view of the presidential election, a tweet informs you of breaking news, and so on. But those social media platforms aren't always neutral. Facebook, for example, has come under fire after former contractors accused it of bias against conservative views.
6. Keep Your Facebook Drama Out of the Courtroom, Judges Warned
While social media has made it easier for legal professionals to connect to each other and potential clients, those connections (along with online comments) can backfire in the courtroom. Take, for example, the New Mexican judge who recently received a scolding for commenting on a trial on his Facebook page.
7. Tracking Jurors on Social Media -- New Boundaries Set by the ABA
A potential juror's Twitter account or LinkedIn profile can tell you a lot about how they might respond to a case. But that doesn't mean you should Facebook friend every person in the jury pool. Here's a quick guide to the appropriate boundaries, as explained in ABA Formal Opinion 466.
Want to stay up-to-date with the latest legal and social media developments? Connect with FindLaw via Twitter (@FindLawLP) or Facebook (FindLaw for Legal Professionals).
Related Resources:
- Privacy and Social Media (ABA's Business Law Today)
- How Are Lawyers Using Social Media? (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Social Media Oversharing Makes It Easier to Collect, Seize Assets (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Corporate eDiscovery Is Complicated by Texting, Mobile, and Social Media (FindLaw's Technologist)