Social Media and User Generated Content
The popularity and reach of social media platforms makes them increasingly useful tools for businesses through which to raise brand profile and acquire customers. Businesses are also increasingly looking to interact with their customers through the use of user generated content. These new developments bring significant opportunities but also carry a number of risks. Our Media and Technology teams regularly advise businesses wishing to leverage these new models. We advise online publishers, brand owners, website owners, ISPs and other intermediaries on:
- use of third party social media platforms including various customer acquisition methods
- the development, hosting and support of a website with social media / UGC
- whether and how to moderate content, as well as notice and take-down policies
- data protection and privacy risks
- user terms, guidelines and privacy policies
- the exemptions for those “hosting” content
- how to deal with claims, including requests to disclose the identity of anonymous users
- employment policies regarding use of social media by employees
Seminars and training
The team also provides seminars and training for clients, including in-house lawyers, editors, journalists, operators and moderators of UGC sites.