ARTICLE · 07 APRIL 2008

Social Networking Websites: Embrace Or Shut-Out?

Penningtons Solicitors LLP

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One such site is Facebook. With 40 million registered users worldwide, it has attracted the attentions of businesses and for good reason: these sites offer a seductive cocktail of market research, advertising, branding and PR, delivered in one manageable "profile". Unsurprisingly, this raises a host of legal issues.

United KingdomIntellectual Property

Rob Lyon

Social networking websites: they are rarely out of the headlines, courting both celebration and controversy. One such site is Facebook. With 40 million registered users worldwide, it has attracted the attentions of businesses and for good reason: these sites offer a seductive cocktail of market research, advertising, branding and PR, delivered in one manageable "profile". Unsurprisingly, this raises a host of legal issues.

Privacy

To open accounts, Facebook users must provide personal data such as name, date of birth and sex, and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Further optional personal information can be uploaded and shared with their "friends" on Facebook. Users can change their privacy settings to limit the amount of information others (even friends) can see.

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