If you’re like most people, you probably click-through user agreements in order to get to the good stuff, right? But you might be signing up for something you really didn’t bargain for. When it comes to personal injury cases, we often tell our clients not to post things on social media or assume that all free services are completely secure.
If you use any of the services listed below, take a look at what you (and all other users) have agreed to:
- Facebook: when you use Facebook, you are letting the social media company do whatever they like with your photos and information. Facebook gathers information about its users for market research (and to make your timeline better), and giving the company these details (by posting photos or just liking pages) means that Facebook has the right to do what they want with your details - it’s in the fine print.
- Instagram: Instagram is owned by Facebook, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that this company has direct rights and access to your photos. Keep this in mind when you post things on Instagram.
- Twitter: Just like Facebook, Twitter reserves the right to use and store your tweets. We always tell our clients not to post information about a personal injury claim on Twitter, but if you do - be aware that Twitter will own your tweets.
- Skype: Skype is another free service that many people use without reading the contract completely. Microsoft (owners of Skype) can access your Skype details at any time.
How Much Can Be Used Against You?
But just because a company might retain and use your information, that doesn’t necessarily mean that another person can obtain these details, right? Not necessarily. Sometimes, a person (or lawyer) can ask a company to disclose details about you and your social media accounts - and if someone that you are connected with comments or tags anything that you have posted on any account, it’s not hard to find at all.
We’ve said it before and we will say it again - be careful of what you put on the Internet! Posting things online can easily break your case. If you aren’t sure what you’re getting into when using a free service, take the time to read through those contracts. Most of the time, you’ll be shocked at what you read and agree to!
