Social Networking websites have the following features which makes them different from other websites.

  • User generated Content
  • Sharing of Personal Information by users
  • Unavoidable sharing of Copyrighted materials.
  • Diversified users from across the globe

    • To start with remember that ‘you are responsible for what you post and not what others post’ even in your own website.

    Here are the following things you must remember to protect your community website legal issues

  • Define clear Terms of condition, which becomes the contract between website and members. The terms should normally include the “acceptable use” policies that prohibit certain type of postings.
  • Include this line in your Terms of use: “no provider . . . of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider”
  • Hire good moderators/Administrators who should detect the un-acceptable content, copyrighted material and should be able to edit/delete such posts
  • Do not edit the post of other user to the extent of altering the meaning of the posts
  • Privacy policies must describe accurately the site’s practices regarding collection, use, and disclosure of personal information
  • Use in opt-in and opt-out options for members, especially in the newsletter
  • Make strict rules for third party sharing of information of users and posted content.
  • Don’t spam the members

    • There are way too many issues which are part of community based websites legal issue. I have narrated few. If you have more questions contact me at kushal@officers.in

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