Information Management Blog

By Patrick Thatcher

Social networking on-line has without doubt changed the way individuals, socialise, share information and even meet new people. Whilst all users have been merrily using this medium there has been a brewing undercurrent relating to who is responsible ocean of data. Who is ultimately responsible for the content that is generated every day?

A judge recently ruled on a liable case where an individual had created a false user profile on a popular networking site. The false profile defamed an ex-friend of the claimant. The judge ruled in favour of the claimant and the user responsible for creating the false profile was ordered to pay damages in excess of £20,000.

The defendant claimed that he had not created the profile, but admitted his PC had been used. The defendant claimed that friends had created the false profile during a party at his home. The judge ruled that the defendant was ultimately responsible for the PC which was used to create the profile; hence was liable in this case.

Although this should not spark a legal debate but rather remind us all of a few critical thoughts relating to our on-line presence:

1. Information is powerful
2. Use information responsibly
3. Individuals are responsible for content created
4. Ensure your electronic assets are secured appropriately

These basic ideas no doubt extend to all aspects of our electronic existence; be that socialising, blogging or working. Some basic rules and codes of conduct must be adhered to.

Let’s face it, we all need to be careful.