Social Media Defamation is Easy to Do, and Hard For a Victim to Recover From
Social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows you to build a personal brand, advertise your company, and interact with a wide audience. On the other hand, even a careless comment can profoundly impact your reputation and damage your good name. If you are a victim of defamation online or on social media, navigating the complex legal landscape can be daunting. An experienced social media defamation lawyer can help you build your case, gather evidence, safeguard your rights, and protect your reputation. Find out more by scheduling a consultation at Late Night Law.
What is Social Media Defamation?
Defamation is a form of speech that is not protected by the First Amendment. It refers to false statements or publications that damage another person’s reputation. Defamation is known as libel when it is published or broadcast. While slander is defamation that is verbalized in a personal conversation. Defamation over the internet is usually libel, and may come in the form of social media posts and videos.
Because the First Amendment affords strong protection to speech, defamation can be difficult to prove. Statements of opinion, for instance, are generally not actionable as defamation. And statements about public figures such as celebrities and elected officials must meet a higher evidentiary standard to be considered defamation.
With the rise of social media, defamation is more common, and more damaging, than ever. Major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube are fertile grounds for targeted harassment, doxxing, and defamation.
Political operatives use social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok to dox and defame their adversaries. Family members may use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to defame one another during a contentious divorce. Businesses may maliciously use reporting features on Instagram to flag a competitor’s advertisements. Businesses may also use false reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and NextDoor to defame their competitors. Twitch streamers, TikTok microcelebrities, and influencers on Twitter and Instagram are constantly bashing one another and stirring up drama, and this often rises to the level of defamation and targeted harassment.
The simple fact is that disgruntled people of every variety are constantly using social media to vent their frustrations, and often these social media activities rise to the level of defamation, doxxing, and invasion of privacy.
Recovering Legal Damages from Social Media Defamation
Social media defamation can have a profound impact on a person’s life. It can damage your public image, harm your business, and even destroy your personal relationships. New technologies present novel legal challenges, and navigating the legal landscape of social media defamation can be complex. A social media lawyer can help you better understand your options if you are a victim of defamation and harassment on social media.
Experiencing Harassment Online? Contact a Social Media Defamation Lawyer
Defamation on social media can manifest in many ways. It is important to recognize the signs that you may need a lawyer to defend your reputation. Here are some things to be aware of:
Defamation on social media can manifest in many ways. It is important to recognize the signs that you may need a social media defamation lawyer to defend your reputation. Here are some things to be aware of:
Falsely Accusing Someone of a Crime
Posting unfounded claims about someone committing a crime, such as theft or fraud, can harm their reputation and is considered defamation.
Sharing Lies About Someone’s Personal Life
Sharing false information about someone’s personal life, like claims of domestic violence or substance abuse without proof, can lead to defamation claims.
Health Information
Falsely reporting that someone has a serious or contagious illness, such as HIV, could lead to social and professional isolation and is considered defamation.
Doxxing
Publishing someone’s personally identifying information, such as their name, image, or home address, with the intent of shaming or intimidating them, is a form of illegal harassment that is often accompanied by defamation.
Revenge Porn
If someone is sharing your intimate images on social media without your consent, that is illegal and could give rise to claims for invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
It is also important to note that statements of opinion may amount to defamation when they imply a factual basis that turns out to be false. Just adding “I think” in front of a defamatory statement does not necessarily confer First Amendment protection. Even if a statement is phrased as an opinion, if it can be taken as “truth” by social media users, it may be considered defamation.
The Role of a Social Media Defamation Lawyer
Navigating the landscape of social media defamation can be challenging. However, you are not alone! A social media defamation lawyer can help you build your case, gather evidence, and protect your rights. Find out more by contacting us at (505) 225-2623 and booking a consultation at Late Night Law today.