01:32
Faizan
A variety of laws around the world may apply to Facebook in one way or another. Some countries already have specific laws targeting Facebook directly while other countries have applied existing laws to the practices taking place on Facebook. Keep in mind that when you sign up for Facebook you agree to be bound by their Terms of Use.
Traditional Laws
Several older laws were in existence before Facebook that apply to the usage of Facebook. For example, defamation laws in most countries and states stipulate that individuals may not make disparaging remarks about others that are not true. These laws apply to speech that takes place on Facebook despite the fact that the laws were not created in anticipation of Facebook.
American Laws
In the U.S., several laws have been created specifically to deal with some of the issues arising from Facebook. Many states have created cyber-bullying laws to deal with the type of interactions taking place between children over Facebook and other social networking websites. Also, in Missouri a law states that teachers may not establish, maintain or use social networking connections with a student unless the student's parents also have access to the communications taking place.
Germany
Germany and several other countries in the European Union have very strict privacy laws. When using Facebook's "like button," Facebook user's online actions are tracked and transmitted to the company or service the user liked for up to two years. In 2011, a German privacy group found Facebook's practices to be against German and European privacy regulations as Facebook's practices are not sufficiently disclosed to users. As of August 2011, Facebook disagrees with the privacy group's findings and the disagreement is likely to lead to litigation.
Terms of Use
While Facebook's Terms of Use are not law in and of themselves, by agreeing to be bound by the Terms of Use, users make a contractual agreement to abide by these terms. Facebook Terms of Use stipulate that user's personal information will be processed in the U.S. and that this information may be shared under certain circumstances. In additiom, by accepting Facebook's Terms of Use, you agree to settle any claim against Facebook in Federal Court in Santa Clara County, California.
Traditional LawsSeveral older laws were in existence before Facebook that apply to the usage of Facebook. For example, defamation laws in most countries and states stipulate that individuals may not make disparaging remarks about others that are not true. These laws apply to speech that takes place on Facebook despite the fact that the laws were not created in anticipation of Facebook.
American Laws
In the U.S., several laws have been created specifically to deal with some of the issues arising from Facebook. Many states have created cyber-bullying laws to deal with the type of interactions taking place between children over Facebook and other social networking websites. Also, in Missouri a law states that teachers may not establish, maintain or use social networking connections with a student unless the student's parents also have access to the communications taking place.
Germany
Germany and several other countries in the European Union have very strict privacy laws. When using Facebook's "like button," Facebook user's online actions are tracked and transmitted to the company or service the user liked for up to two years. In 2011, a German privacy group found Facebook's practices to be against German and European privacy regulations as Facebook's practices are not sufficiently disclosed to users. As of August 2011, Facebook disagrees with the privacy group's findings and the disagreement is likely to lead to litigation.
Terms of Use
While Facebook's Terms of Use are not law in and of themselves, by agreeing to be bound by the Terms of Use, users make a contractual agreement to abide by these terms. Facebook Terms of Use stipulate that user's personal information will be processed in the U.S. and that this information may be shared under certain circumstances. In additiom, by accepting Facebook's Terms of Use, you agree to settle any claim against Facebook in Federal Court in Santa Clara County, California.
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