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Over the last few years, social media has swept through the world, influencing everything from advertising and business strategies to the way people interact with friends and family. With social networks and other sites having such a big influence, it didn't take long for digital law to step in and establish some ground rules.
Digital law varies with each country, particularly as some governments and courts have been slower than others to recognise the impact of social media, and the emergence of social media law itself. However, the situation has been made clearer as regular headlines bring to the fore the impact that social media can have on businesses - with something as simple as a message posted to Twitter potentially having large-scale consequences for companies or entire industries.
Among the problems companies may face from the realm of social media are trademark and copyright infringement, or comments that could be judged as defamation or otherwise harmful. Employers are likely to be liable for the conduct of their workers on social networking sites, meaning training and understanding of the new technology can be essential for its safe and responsible use.
Similarly, lawyers who take on social media cases should be literate in the technology themselves - something that will likely necessitate revisions to existing law books to keep up with the changing legal landscape. This includes ensuring that businesses comply with the latest standards and legislation brought in by organisations such as the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in the UK.
That's not to say that social media only provides a hindrance to companies, of course - especially as many are benefiting from the wider reach it offers. However, the legal system itself has often found the technology to be a boon, with police departments and other law enforcement agencies increasingly using sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with citizens about a variety of issues.
Notable examples include police blotter blogs posted to live newsfeed and microblogging sites, to offer more widespread access to real-time developments, and the ability to use such sites to track crime and inform citizens of important events with timely updates - such as roads to avoid in the event of accidents, or even significant news events that may be of interest. Because the social web has such a wide audience, police officers have also found it a beneficial arena to post 'digital wanted posters' and other pertinent information, where it can potentially reach more individuals.
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