Doxing and social media vigilantism
Our reliance on technology, and social media to a degree, has led to a rise in cyberbullying trends such as doxing and stalking. As great as technology is, it unfortunately also provides people with an instant, viral and anonymous way to inflict harm more easily on others. The phenomenon of doxing can be seen every more...
The Importance of a Social Media Policy
Social media has become an indispensable part of communicating and doing business in modern life. The reality is that most employees are likely to use at least one social media platform and have a social media personality that extends outside the parameters of their workplace. Employers are encouraged to have a social media policy in more...
Online advertising – weighing up the risks for brands
Social media can be a highly effective way to increase brand awareness, but only if used properly. The online world is like a double-edged sword. While on the one hand it is very convenient for brands to connect with a world-wide customer base, on the other, it leaves the brand very exposed to criticism and backlas
Social media and the employer-employee relationship
Social media and the employer-employee relationship With the government effectively creating a temporary criminal offence to fight the spread of fake news and misinformation about COVID-19 on social media and online platforms, a lot of questions have arisen relating to employers’ risks when their employees use social media in such a way that the employer more...
Misinformation and fake news on COVID-19 – action will be taken!
Misinformation and fake news on COVID-19 – action will be taken!
Tagging, liking and sharing on social media – can I be held liable?
Anything you share, like or are tagged in on social media may be deemed to show that you agree with what is being said, even though you are not the creator of the original content. Normal legal rules apply to social media too! Case Law You can face legal action for engaging in the so-called more...
How consumer protection and advertising practices affect Social Media Influencers in South Africa
We all know that brands like Adidas, Nike, Fenty and Dior partner up with social media influencers who have credibility in a particular industry and a large following to promote the brand to their followers. The influencer gets paid in cash or kind and the brand in return receives a personal advertisement to thousands of more...
Can I go to court over a sale on Facebook?
Most (if not all) of our communication is electronic in some form. Gone are the days of paying for a newspaper advertisement or putting posters on lamp posts when you want to sell your old bicycle or that jacket that you bought on a whim! Many of us are part of a “buy and sell” or more...
Social Media: Freedom of Expression vs Defamation and Hate Speech
Although we hear defamation and/or hate speech around us regularly, mostly, we see it on social media. It is almost as if people believe that because they are protected behind a keyboard or a screen, they can say whatever they feel like. Social media remains a public platform and everyone using it, just as in more...