14 DAY TRIAL // A survey that was conducted on more than 350,000 individuals from the UK showed that most social media customers don't know their rights or their responsibilities when commenting or tweeting.
DLA Piper's report shows that while social networks are growing in popularity, most of their customers have no clue on what consequences they could be faced with because of the things they write.
While the number of tweets, comments or blog posts has increased compared to 2008, the results show that now only 6% of respondents claimed they had comments taken down, which could mean that either the awareness of social media is decreasing or the users are more aware of the risks involved.
Other figures reveal that more than half of Twitter members don't think about the fact that their tweet might be in breach of the law before they post it. What these users don't know is that if they post something in breach of a privacy injunction, they could face up to two years in jail.
When compared to journalists, only 37% of people who post online consider they should be regarded the same as those who bring the news to the world. On the other hand, close to 70% agreed that social media outlets need special guidelines.
This however differs according to the age of the respondents. While younger ones believe there is no need for such regulations, the subjects aged over 55 mostly responded affirmatively.
Regarding the terms and conditions on social sites, in 2008, 33% claimed that they read the regulations before becoming a customer. Now, only 18% of those surveyed admit doing so.
"Clearly there is a need for change and this report poses the question of how far this should come in the shape of specific regulation and legislation, and how far it needs a change of attitude and greater emphasis on responsibility and self-control online," said Duncan Calow, the author of the report.