Do social media sites actually remove slander?

[Heretic]

Just curious if anyone here has any experience with this.

I have kept a mostly low profile on social media my entire life. It seems like its one big cesspool of arguing. So...on Facebook I had a few dozen friends...never had a Twitter or Instagram or TikTok (is that social media?) or anything else. BUT...I recently started a nonprofit, so I HAVE to open accounts...and right on schedule...the nonsense started.

One guy on Facebook had been kind of wanting me to join his non-profit instead of starting my own (I had been talking to him for info on how to start one up etc)...but I told him that I just didnt see eye to eye with his vision. Well...as soon as I announce mine, he starts going around saying that I'm a racist who is running a scam etc (to be clear: HE is a racist...and the point of view I opposed of his was that I support BLM and he thinks they should be shot...and I actually tend to doubt that he is a legal entity anyway, since he didnt seem to know anything about the legal filings etc).

Meanwhile, over on Twitter, someone I followed (who I estimate is 30-something??) seemed to have low self esteem, so I complimented a new picture she posted...and suddenly she's posting that I'm a perv who was trying to have sex with her and claiming I was saying WAY more graphic stuff than my simple compliment implied (I have a girlfriend, thanks). She was actually talking about stuff that supposedly happened years ago...so...maybe it was someone else and she assumes I'm them for some reason???

So...look...I dont want to sue these people, I have more constructive things to do, and I'm definitely not getting involved in some back and forth social media war bs...but it's kind of difficult to start up a nonprofit, put a bunch of time and money and energy into it...and then have random people going around trying to ruin your reputation. I filed complaints with the social media sites, but haven't heard back yet. Is there any chance that the sites will remove the posts that are falsely accusing me (and, by extension, the organization I run)???

Honestly...I've decided that I'm going to be like the big organizations and just exist on the internet, not reply to people, not like statuses etc. It's not worth the hassle.

 

[MadVillainy]

This kinda seems like nothing to worry about.

I used to do online reputation management, through Yelp and Google Reviews, for a local chain. Most sites usually don't take sides in factual disputes. Which is dumb, but when you think about it those sites are really just the vessel. Unless you bring up some serious factual receipts they don't take sides in factual disputes. Again it sucks but it is what it is

Regarding defamation in general, and this is the case in the court of law as well to my knowledge, you need to prove that what the person said, typed, etc. damaged you before you can seek or do anything in court.

And you're a bit off on the big corporations who don't respond to people online. Not saying you have to. But most do they have dedicated departments/people for that. Gives the illusion you care.

In short, I don't think there's a reason to worry about this. Social media is an easy scapegoat but myself and plenty of others use it with no issue. It's not FB, Twitter, etc.'s fault those people are acting like this if it's true. And it's just 2 people. You'll be alright

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Heretic]

This kinda seems like nothing to worry about.

I used to do online reputation management, through Yelp and Google Reviews, for a local chain. Most sites usually don't take sides in factual disputes. Which is dumb, but when you think about it those sites are really just the vessel. Unless you bring up some serious factual receipts they don't take sides in factual disputes. Again it sucks but it is what it is

Regarding defamation in general, and this is the case in the court of law as well to my knowledge, you need to prove that what the person said, typed, etc. damaged you before you can seek or do anything in court.

And you're a bit off on the big corporations who don't respond to people online. Not saying you have to. But most do they have dedicated departments/people for that. Gives the illusion you care.

In short, I don't think there's a reason to worry about this. Social media is an easy scapegoat but myself and plenty of others use it with no issue. It's not FB, Twitter, etc.'s fault those people are acting like this if it's true. And it's just 2 people. You'll be alright

I deal with CRIPPLING anxiety. I'm not talking about regular anxiety. There have been literal YEARS of my life where I was unable to even check my mail or take out the trash because I couldnt leave the house. I started this non-profit because I almost killed myself a year ago and finally decided...screw it...I'm just going to try to live my life. So, I was kind of hoping to not get out of the gate and immediately have more people trying to ruin me than help me lol. And I tend to not handle it well. Like...I actually apologized to the girl saying that I didn't say anything to her years ago, but I'm sorry for being innapropriate now...but I WASNT innapropriate. It was just a compliment. But there I am...apologizing like an idiot.

I hear you that a lot of companies have social media teams etc...I just dont have the ability to hire one right now. To be honest, it really shouldn't be me doing it. And I get that its not the fault of a social media platform...I just think A LOT of people enjoy the chaos of winning internet points by smearing others.

 

[JubJub86]

I deal with CRIPPLING anxiety. I'm not talking about regular anxiety. There have been literal YEARS of my life where I was unable to even check my mail or take out the trash because I couldnt leave the house.

Then maybe the issue isn't Facebook and its run-of-the-mill garden-variety a$$holes. Just a thought.

 

[Heretic]

Then maybe the issue isn't Facebook and its run-of-the-mill garden-variety a$$holes. Just a thought.

No, the actual websites are what they are...its PEOPLE that suck...I just think that people now have a megaphone to broadcast whatever hate hits their mind to get their giggles...like when people posted Star Wars spoilers...just an internet full of bitter people who only get happiness by ruining other people's joy.

 

[JubJub86]

Maybe? But I mean, the majority of people seem to be able to accept/ignore it for what it is though, no? People still use it. As you say, these people exist, face-to-face and online, you've just gotta not take it personally. Not sure there's much the social media service can do about it short of these people threatening you or rising to the bar of legal defamation that you can prove, in court, which you isn't a level you're going to take this to.

Honestly, given the issues you talk about, maybe it's best to just stay off those mediums, promote your charity in other ways.

 

[joombo]

I visit social media sites quite rare now, I chat with girls mostly at video chats, that's convy. I started using video chat room online recently, it's quite convy app where I can make private video calls with my matches. For me it's better than texting.

 

[Flash525]

Thinking about it; social media probably thrives on slander. It gets people talking and using their platforms. That's ultimately what they want.