Social Damage
So the issues of social networking are starting to pop up. Crime, privacy - those are the hot topics. But the article on the local site Yelp got my attention.
Ultimately, there's some accusations that the business did not act ethically. This remains to be seen. To me, what appears to be the issue is whether social site businesses are opening themselves up to litigation by allowing the public to comment on and rate businesses on the site.
For example, if a few people decide to visit a site like Yelp and write a bad review on a local restaurant, this could hurt this restaurant. Now, it could be true that the restaurant had bad food, service, etc. But it might not be true - it could be just a group of angry people who are looking for revenge for being kicked out for just-cause. Or perhaps the same from just a bunch of bored teens.
The big issue here isn't who's right or wrong - or justified - but ultimately how much damage could be done in a short while. While it's ultimately the people that are blogging their news, unfortunately, this information isn't always accurate or justified. In which case, the social site giving the up the podium to said consumer is ultimately liable for the damage.
Review Site Yelp Sued by Local Businesses
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703523204575130083774933918.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
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Ultimately, there's some accusations that the business did not act ethically. This remains to be seen. To me, what appears to be the issue is whether social site businesses are opening themselves up to litigation by allowing the public to comment on and rate businesses on the site.
For example, if a few people decide to visit a site like Yelp and write a bad review on a local restaurant, this could hurt this restaurant. Now, it could be true that the restaurant had bad food, service, etc. But it might not be true - it could be just a group of angry people who are looking for revenge for being kicked out for just-cause. Or perhaps the same from just a bunch of bored teens.
The big issue here isn't who's right or wrong - or justified - but ultimately how much damage could be done in a short while. While it's ultimately the people that are blogging their news, unfortunately, this information isn't always accurate or justified. In which case, the social site giving the up the podium to said consumer is ultimately liable for the damage.
Review Site Yelp Sued by Local Businesses
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703523204575130083774933918.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
Back