An innocent boy was also wrongfully identified on social media, the court heard. That means the social media giants must only remove identifying material once they become aware of it or it is brought to their attention. ‘Trenchant warning’A similar issue has previously surfaced in connection with rape trials where social media users have taken it upon themselves to name alleged victims, in breach of their right to anonymity. A string of contempt cases recently prompted the UK to carry out an investigation into whether social media is putting legal processes at risk. He noted that as this is “a matter of European and Irish law”, the company itself could not itself be held in contempt.

Source: The Irish Times June 20, 2019 17:26 UTC