Libel Laws......We should be aware

I think it's more about posting uncorroborated speculation on public media sites about named people such as doctors, specialists, MPs even, especially with a view to discrediting them.

Last night I went onto Money Saving Expert and read some very critical posts about a company. There were also some highly complimentary posts about the same company.

So does this ruling mean that legitimate criticism should not be published? Sounds a bit like stifling freedom of speech. If they perceived the service they received was poor why couldn't they say so?

"And as most people seem to post from their phones these days the police would have an even better chance of finding you"

How on earth do you know where people are posting from?

CONCERNING!

Oo-er Ankers, you obviously have inside knowledge of investigating people's PMs and tracking their whereabouts...

And as most people seem to post from their phones these days the police would have an even better chance of finding you.

Even if you delete your PMs it may be possible that they are all still on the server somewhere and can be retrieved by the site administrator. I don't know this for certain but I think it's tecnically possible.

I very much agree.

The only information they have is your email address and computer id.
But pretty sure that police can use that to have a better chance of finding someone.

Yes, that's what I said in my post of 17.30.

Don't they have your name as well, Ana. Don't you give it as part of the signing up process?

Though,of course, that could be equally fake.

They might have been better off sticking to FB.

This seems to me to be an interesting precedent. I may have misread/misunderstood but my impression is the two women joined mumsnet as a kind of "fishing" procedure to seek out others who were dissatisfied with this surgeon. Maybe they hoped a class action had more hope of success.

Being sued for libel is no joke. (not that I have been)

Yes, but my point was, MaizieD that someone may be able to get a Court order demanding that a website reveals the identity of the poster/s involved, but they only know for certain the email address (which of course could be dumped at any time) and the computer id which may be shared e.g. students.

Unless someone gives specific personal details in a PM I don't think it would be that easy to prove - especially as MN users seem to be able to change their usernames any time they want!

Yes, her staff may be on the case as we speak ( type) ( I wish we had a smug/halo emoji)

Those GNetters who have been bitching about Melania Trump had better look out hadnt they?

Even if you delete your PMs it may be possible that they are all still on the server somewhere and can be retrieved by the site administrator. I don't know this for certain but I think it's tecnically possible.

Yes, they have your email, so they email you to tell you someone has complained about your post. I assume that they only email you if it's something potentially actionable that has been complained about.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to give an address to join GN (or MN) and can supply a false 'real' name if you wish to.

The only information they have is your email address and computer id.

As for PMs, does deleting them not work?

(Not that I'm planning in libelling anyone, you understand!)

No allegedly doesn't let you off the hook Pamela BUT comedy and satirical humour have a longer rope before they hang themselves.

Its not considered libel if its used in either of those 2 contexts unless certain criteria are met.

Incidentally, this is the news story:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4168630/Mumsnet-ordered-hand-identities-users.html

And, from reading the Mumsnet thread about it, it looks suspiciously as though the two posters may have joined up specifically to post about the surgeon.

two members on Mumsnet are in serious trouble

They're certainly in line for having to pay out a lot of money if he sues them for libel. But the news story was just about the complainant going to court to get an order for Mumsnet to reveal the posters' identities. I know this happens because I was threatened with the process on Mumsnet a couple of months ago. (nothing to get excited about, ladies. I hadn't libelled anyone. I just now know what the procedure is)

What I didn't know, and what shocks me somewhat, is that Mumsnet were required by the court to hand over the posters' private messages. So, be careful; your 'private' messages aren't

If we add' allegedly 'as they do in Have I got news for you does that let us off the hook? ?

Elothan there is a limit to it even if it's true.

Opinion is not libellous ( so you may say someone is a 'loser' or 'clueless' )but even opinion must be backed up by the truth. If your opinion is not backed up by fact then it IS libellous.

What the opinion privilege doesn't protect is accusations of criminal or illegal behavior, even if they're expressed as opinions. So, if you write that your mayor is a "thief and a criminal," you're asking for trouble.

Jane don't know about Donald Trump but two members on Mumsnet are in serious trouble.We have to remember these chats on here are a bit different to one we have in a coffee shop.

Don't worry about Donald. He would simply look the alternative facts.

If we say we hate him ....well we're women and always say the opposite of what we mean.

If we say he's a sexual predator and creep....well we're women and always say no when we mean yes i.e. say the opposite of what we mean.

If we say he's homophobic ....well we're women so how could we understand how unnatural it is for two men to enjoy sex with each other. They're obviously not 'real' men. Of course it's perfectly natural for 'real' men to enjoy watching two women have sex with each other.

If we say he's racist.....well we're women and we all fantasise about being 'taken' by some 'wild savage'.

If we say he's add anything you like...well we're women so.....

It's OK as long as what you say is true.

Blimey. We're all stuffed if that delightful Mr Trump ever gets round to reading GN!

If I understand it correctly, the owners of the website can ask the poster if they want their post deleted but they may insist it still stands in which case it's their responsibility.

They're not like that with us. We get zapped whether we like it or not.