We routinely act for clients (both individuals and businesses) targeted by untrue, malicious, or scandalous statements published on the Internet, social-media, or online-messaging platforms. Lawyers who know basic defamation and harassment laws will say they can handle these types of complaints. But we say we do it better because, in addition to knowing the law, we're extremely familiar with the technicalities of the Internet and the dynamics of social-media usage.

 

We know our way well around laws related to defamatory, false, and malicious content on the Internet. If the source or perpetrator of the misconduct is clear, we’re able to take swift action against such persons through take-down demands or court actions.

 

But more often than not, we find ourselves dealing with misconduct by anonymous entities. In such cases, we put on our investigative hats. Our lawyers are familiar with open-source intelligence – an investigative technique that relies on publicly-available data and tools to track activities and individuals on the Internet. We have successfully identified content originators using limited information such as usernames, IP addresses, photographs, and shell email accounts. In more complex situations, we may recommend working with computer-forensics professionals to conduct deeper and more thorough tracking.  

 

We also have experience going against web platforms such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, Wikipedia, Reddit, Hardwarezone etc. to have content removed or blocked on their sites. If the target web platform operates from another country or jurisdiction, we work with trusted foreign lawyers to achieve these takedown objectives.

 

Where content cannot be removed, or has simply gone too viral, we enlist the assistance of external partners who're experts in digital marketing and reverse search engine optimsation. These non-legal solutions help make negative content less visible by pushing them further down in search-result rankings.

 

We're as capable mounting a good defence as we're launching a good offense. We regularly represent individuals and companies who're being sued for online defamation or harassment.

Doing business on the Internet entails navigating a myriad of legal and regulatory requirements. We have supported, and continue to support, businesses in meeting the following legal and compliance needs:

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• Structuring privacy and data-protection workflows and processes, including providing training to management and staff.

• Drafting privacy and data-protection statements and policies that are unique to an organisation’s business and offerings.

• Representing organisations in investigations and prosecutions for data breaches.

• Drafting website terms and conditions.

• Licensing content for commercial online use.

• Advising on the dos and don’ts of online advertising, including compliance with advertising laws and industry regulations.

• Advising on product liability, payment processes, product returns and refunds, and consumer claim issues in relation to online sales and Internet marketplaces.

• Drafting appropriate-use policies relating to social-media and the Internet for organisations, and training management and staff on these same areas.

• Drafting agreements for use between businesses and digital marketers, influencers, and online key-opinion leaders.