Landlord Files $50,000 Libel Suit Against Twittering Tenant
Marissa Brassfield — July 31, 2009 — Pop Culture
References: chicagonow & younglawyersblog
It was only a matter of time before the world would start to see Twitter lawsuits, and this one comes to us from Chicago. Tenant Amanda Bonnen used her Twitter account to complain about her living situation at a Horizon Group Management property, as many users do. Her landlords responded with a libel lawsuit that alleges Bonnen’s tweet damages their reputation.
Amanda Bonnen only had about 20 followers, but her tweet, which read, “You should just come anyway. Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it’s okay,” clearly was enough to incite what I believe will be a flurry of Twitter lawsuits.
Twitter users know that the fastest way to get good customer service is to complain using the microblogging service, but will Twitter lawsuits like the one against Amanda Bonnen be the wave of the future?
Amanda Bonnen only had about 20 followers, but her tweet, which read, “You should just come anyway. Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon realty thinks it’s okay,” clearly was enough to incite what I believe will be a flurry of Twitter lawsuits.
Twitter users know that the fastest way to get good customer service is to complain using the microblogging service, but will Twitter lawsuits like the one against Amanda Bonnen be the wave of the future?
Trend Themes
1. Social Media Litigation - As social media platforms like Twitter continue to grow in popularity, individuals and organizations alike should be prepared for more lawsuits related to social media use and its impact on reputation.
2. Online Reputation Management - The rise of social media lawsuits highlights the need for individuals and businesses to actively manage their online reputations and respond quickly and effectively to negative content and comments online.
3. Legal Implications of Social Media - The legal landscape around social media is still evolving, creating opportunities for legal professionals to specialize in this emerging area and develop new frameworks and best practices for social media use and liability.
Industry Implications
1. Legal Services - Legal professionals can take advantage of the growing demand for expertise in social media law and policies to provide specialized services for individuals and organizations facing legal challenges related to social media use.
2. Online Reputation Management Services - The increasing awareness around the impact of social media on reputation creates opportunities for companies that offer online reputation management and monitoring services to help individuals and businesses protect their online image and identities.
3. Social Media Platforms - As social media platforms continue to grow in popularity and use, they must take steps to address potential legal liabilities and develop clear policies and guidelines for users to follow to minimize legal risks and ensure responsible use.
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