Social Media Platforms: The Double-Edged Swords of the New Era
In today’s day and age, you can’t find a person who doesn’t have an account on Facebook, Instagram, X, etc.! An account on a social media platform has become a mandate, much like an educational degree! And these platforms are where people share moments of their own lives, their personal struggles, their work issues, or celebrations.
But, if we choose to share a part of our lives across these platforms, doesn’t that mean we have some rights over what we post?
And now for the surprise- law enforcement agencies frequently use snaps, videos, or texts posted on social media to arrest, and justify arrests! And there have been many cases of arrests on the basis of social media posts earlier as well.
This brings us to a simple conclusion- social media platforms are double-edged swords! Because it might help you stay connected to your friends, or help people stay aware. At the same time, the same platforms also make you vulnerable to arrests!
If you’re stuck in such a situation, don’t hesitate to call our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers from the Logue Law Group. We can challenge the evidence and help you protect your rights at any cost.
How Do Cops Use Social Media?
Many times, it has been seen that a person gets arrested on the basis of their posts or photos uploaded on social media.
However, the question is, without any concrete evidence, the cops can’t hold you guilty. So, where are the cops getting details of your life?
Well, from your social media profile! You’ll be surprised to know that your information that is available across social media platforms, exceeds what you expect, or what you upload to Facebook, or Instagram by yourself! How so?
Well, you must have heard of the job platform LinkedIn, right? Well, think about it. If you have a LinkedIn profile, it means your detailed job history exists in your account! And it isn’t restricted to what you are posting. Others can also post about you and upload snaps that you didn’t even know existed.
Along with that, third-party data companies might also have information about you, as they buy or license data, or simply scrape it from public records. For instance, a data company has information on your purchase habits, which might directly correlate to your current status. And law enforcement agencies can acquire all of this if they pay, just like everyone else!
We Have Lost Privacy
Social media might have served as a boon for us. However, in due course, we lost our privacy. How so?
Well, we gave it up intentionally for social media, and data companies took advantage of that. Not just that, but the cops are also taking advantage of this unrestricted access and arresting people based on their posts. That’s because there is no legal framework that defines how police can monitor social media or use the information in exchange for a fee. This lack of transparency is what has affected us the most.
So, if in any way you feel that you’re being arrested based on evidence that invaded your privacy or rights, make sure to call up a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer quickly.
How Can We Help?
At the Logue Law Group, our in-house Pittsburgh criminal lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients get what they deserve! So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever find yourself in such a situation and feel confused about what to do next.
Another thing that you need to know is that the cops can’t legally arrest you if they don’t have sufficient evidence. On top of that, if they try to charge you with a conviction, they need solid proof against you. So, even if your social media posts are the only proof that cops have, our Pittsburgh criminal attorneys can rightfully challenge the evidence and fight for your rights. For more information, drop an email at sean@seanloguelaw.com.