How many times do you find yourself at a party ducking a
smartphone camera held up to snap a picture of you, afraid of being
forever linked to the latest viral YouTube sensation?
How often do you say to some camera-wielding person, "Ok, take
the picture, but don't tag me"? We say that social
media is everywhere. Well, cameras are, perhaps, even more
ubiquitous.
A Minnesota court decision issued last week shows the emotional
(even if slightly humorous) angle to the issue, but also reminds us
of an important employment law takeaway. In Olson v. LaBrie, Case Number A11-558
(Minn. Ct. of App. 2012), the plaintiff filed a petition
seeking a "harassment restraining order" against his
uncle for posting certain old family photos with accompanying text
on Facebook. It seems that plaintiff was particularly offended
by pictures of him as a child "posing in front of a Christmas
tree," and what plaintiff perceived to be "hostile"
language against him.
