Divorce in the Age of Social Media
In an age of rapidly changing communication technologies, social media is constantly forcing a reassessment of the meaning of “privacy.” It may seem like a trivial concern, it may even seem unrelated to the topic of divorce, but more and more, social media and modern communication technologies are having an impact on divorce proceedings and negotiations.
Privacy May Not Always Mean Privacy
Privacy is something few gave much thought to a decade or so ago. That has changed pretty quickly in the last ten years. With social media allowing so many to live so much of their lives online, people tend to expect that a comprehensive privacy policy is in place to protect them. After all, private content like personal information, photos, thoughts, and feelings are regularly shared in online spaces such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Snapchat. All of these sites and services seem to come with extensive privacy policies and privacy settings which offer a feeling of privacy and security, but how much privacy do these policies and settings really provide? Often, in the case of divorce, social network privacy agreements or privacy settings don’t constitute any form of legal protection.
And it isn’t restricted just to online social media services. Text messaging, e-banking, online financial services and even workplace email can be fair game. These communications are becoming increasingly more important in legal proceedings, and are being accessed by spouses and their lawyers to be leveraged in divorce proceedings in order to strengthen negotiating power.
Determining Public Versus Private
Like it or not, communication via digital media leaves a footprint. It means that content which is intended to be private, but which is placed online, may ultimately be scrutinized by a spouse or lawyer, and may become public. The first step in determining what may or may not be used by a spouse or lawyer in divorce proceedings is to talk to an experienced family lawyer who can help define which communications are truly private, and which can be sought as evidence. The lawyers at Johnson Miller Family Lawyers have the kind of knowledge which can only come from over a quarter-century of legal experience in the face of almost constant technological change. They have consistently kept up with those changes because it’s the best way to serve the needs of his clients. In addition to staying current and knowledgeable about emerging technologies, Johnson Miller Family Lawyers has gathered a network of professionals and certified specialists who can provide all the necessary information and services the situation requires. The firm is constantly expanding our network of professional contacts, such as certified IT security specialists and forensic IT specialists, to ensure that we always have the most up-to-date means of gathering information to better serve the needs of his clients.
Contact Johnson Miller Family Lawyers With Questions About Divorce and Social Media
To speak with an experienced Windsor family law lawyer about social media issues with respect to divorce, call 519.973.1500, or contact us online. We serve clients in Windsor, Essex County and throughout the region.