Doesn't this mirror some of the concerns raised in the opinion on Social
Networking Sites from the Article 29 Working Group? They clearly
indicate that the SNS has responsibilities as a (joint) Data Controller
(which they tend to deal with poorly). One of those responsibilities
surely would be adequately confirming the identity of the person
creating the account (mandatory ID card would help! ;-) ).
The opinion also points out that not all the usage of a SNS by an
individual is necessarily covered by the domestic purposes exemption -
particularly where harm is being caused.
Donald Henderson
Information Compliance Manager
Perth & Kinross Council
________________________________
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Trent
Sent: 30 September 2009 09:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [data-protection] Social media, Impersonation, Defamation
I've been asked a question by a friend in the USA regarding an article
(linked below) that he has written on his blog. Brody is not "your
average blogger", rather, he is a professional journalist who covers
articles that have a different interest form his mainstream political
work and does that in his blog. Obviously I need to remind us all that
our comments are public comments, available to all on the JISCMail site.
Here is the question:
BEGINS
Dear Tim ~
This story comes from ABCNews.com and I found it topical in
consideration of the Interview series that I am researching now. My
question to you as a privacy expert, is how does one prevent this from
happening? Should the social network sites be required to have proof on
file for users? Or, as some have suggested, "be warned that IP address
____________ is being recorded for," {the user} and that user is liable
for all contents? What happens when people get bullied, do we hold the
site accountable?
As an expert in this field, I am curious to hear your comments on this.
Cheers
Brody
http://brodylevesque.blogspot.com/2009/09/brodys-notes-teen-pranksters-s
ued-in.html
ENDS
I love being called a Privacy Expert. To me that means that I know
where to find the answers! And that means asking the list members what
their opinions are. Is it possible to prevent cyber bullying by use of
some form of privacy limitation, for example?
While this incident is under US law, I think the general principles
apply worldwide, don't they?
The article is too long to reproduce here, so my apologies to those
whose opinion is disenfranchised by blogs being blacklisted at work.
It;s a hard article to precis in a few short words, too. BROADLY it is
that a couple of people created a Facebook account in the name of a
third person. They amassed that perosn's friends as Facebook friends
and then ruined his/her reputation online.
I've seen the same impersonation happen on Twitter with Tom Daley, the
UK diving star, where someone is masquerading as him in addition to his
own account.
The question is not "what can social media do to put this right?" so
much as "how can social media prevent it from happening?"
I see that as a tough question.
--
________________________________
Tim Trent - Consultant
Tel: +44 (0)7710 126618
web: ComplianceAndPrivacy.com - where busy executives go to find the
news first
personal blog: timtrent.blogspot.com/ - news, views, and opinions
personal website: Tim's Personal Website <http://www.trent.karoo.net> -
more than anyone needs to know
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