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Web 2.0
29 November 2007
Social networking sites do not have to moderate their content and have little obligation to protect their users, according to one solicitor.
The sites could be liable if they misuse data that is provided to them. However, when an individual chooses to publish information the site is not responsible.
Alex Chapman, partner at Campbell Hooper Solicitors LLP advised that the sites must provide sufficient information or sufficient means to make sure they do not create a liability.
"Generally speaking the social networking sites don't have a duty of care to the consumers or people that use their site," he said.
Unless a site has been made aware of specific content it is not currently obliged to moderate what appears on its pages.
Mr Chapman argues it is better they do not try to police the content because "as soon as they admit are aware of some unlawful activity happening then they have to do something about it so it's better if they just shut their eyes."
According to Highland Business Research, heavy social network site users spend 22 hours per month on their favourite sites, visiting 71 times and viewing over 3,000 pages.
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