Because of its active user’s attractiveness, SOCIAL MEDIA has become widely accepted and extensively used in recent times. More people began to show the tradition and popularity of using Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media sites, which tends to result in luring a few more people to join, and so on.’
Facebook has more than 2.7 billion monthly active members, making it the most widely used social network. Beyond Facebook and WhatsApp, there are many more kinds of social media. Social media includes:
- YouTube
- Blogs
- Vlogs
- Social Networking
These categories also fall under social media law. For the vast majority of people, these platforms serve as a means of communication and social interaction on a daily basis. Just as in the actual world, rules are applied for their sustenance, growth, and development; now comes the necessity for Social Media law so that this virtual society does not degenerate into anarchy.
What Does Social Media Law Mean?
Social media law is an evolving field of law with both criminal and civil components. User-generated content and sites that contain or distribute it are addressed in this article. Social media raises unique legal challenges, including privacy, defamation, advertising law, and intellectual property (IP) law. Copyright, trademarks, and other rights to intellectual property may be violated when content is shared on social media.
Who Are Social Media Lawyers?
Frequently, social networking services enjoy more excellent legal protection than their members. Lawyers specializing in social media may represent persons accused of crimes or defamation, as well as internet services sued for the activities of their users.
Those who fear their trademarks, logos, or intellectual materials are being misused on social media can seek assistance from attorneys specializing in IP law.
Social Media Laws: You Should Know About
Even though social media rules constantly change, established statutes govern the landscape. Chen provided a detailed summary of the several laws and regulations that frequently pertain to social media.
- Anti-SLAPP statutes give defenses against frivolous lawsuits designed to stifle free expression.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act forbids disability-based discrimination.
- The Communications Decency Act governs cyberspace offensiveness and vulgarity.
- The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act ranges the common law tort of actual property trespass into the realm of virtual computers.
- The Copyright Act establishes exclusionary rights for works of authorship, whereas the Digital Millennium Copyright Act reduces service providers’ liability.
- The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act restricts gathering personal information from individuals under the age of thirteen.
- The Electronic Communications Privacy Act forbids intercepting “any wire, oral, or electronic communication.”
- The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes the FTC to investigate unfair trade practices.
- The Lanham Act gives trademark and service mark protection.
- The National Labor Relations Act safeguards employees’ rights to participate in and engage in coordinated activity to improve working conditions.
- The Stored Communications Act prohibits companies from accessing and storing detailed private data.
What Impact Do Social Media Laws Have on Micro – entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs should be aware of the social media rules that affect their operations and how they apply to their employees. This can aid in protecting the business against the danger posed by its staff or clients. Before a legal conflict emerges, developing a social media policy is the most crucial initial step.
- Racially biased Content
A small business must make it obvious to its employees that everything they post online has the potential to effect the business negatively or positively. Violent threats, hate speech, and other forms of harassment are likely to be illegal and in violation of company policy.
- Evaluations and Responses
Consumers utilize online review platforms to express their approval or dissatisfaction with a business. Negative reviews can be harmful to a business, but responding to such evaluations can be much more destructive and in some circumstances lead to legal action.
If a client or employee leaves a negative review, the business cannot retaliate. Additionally, a corporation is not permitted to remove negative reviews. If an employee leaves a positive review, the connection must be specified.
- Third-Party Content
A corporation should establish guidelines for handling third-party social media information, keeping copyright and trademark constraints in mind. Policies should serve to safeguard data, client privacy, and financial information. Copyright, trademarks, and other rights regarding intellectual property may be violated by content shared over social media.
Final Thoughts
Data shows that using social media has evolved into an essential part of our daily life. 4.3 billion Daily active social media users devote an average of 142 minutes on this site, according to social media statistics. There were 328 million active users on social media in 2018-2019, according to ComScore.
Social media is simultaneously a blessing and a curse, as it allows people to stay in touch with their loved ones while also isolating them. Conversely, an increasing number of people fall prey to cyber-related difficulties such as cyberbullying, etc.
For this reason, the government strives ceaselessly to enforce harsh rules on this topic and enact new laws that successfully deliver proper legal justice in various social media-related cases.
