The Law and Business of Social Media
April 16, 2019 - Advertising, First Amendment, European Union, Influencer Marketing, Copyright, Free Speech, Compliance, Litigation

Social Links: An EU law to protect copyright owners online; collecting biometric data without running afoul of the law; influencers’ attempts to appear more authentic

A new law in Australia makes a social media company’s failure to remove “abhorrent violent material” from its platform punishable by significant fines. The law also states that the executives at social media companies who fail to remove the content could be sentenced to jail time.

The European Parliament voted to approve the Copyright Directive, a directive that, although vaguely worded, affords copyright holders significant new protections online, and requires online platforms to police content more thoroughly than ever before. Find out exactly what impact industry advocates predict the law will have, and how long it will be until it’s implemented.

Learn how companies can collect and use biometric data without becoming an easy target for litigation, according to my co-editor Julie O’Neill and our colleague Max Phillip Zidel.

As part of the FTC’s continuing efforts to ensure consumers are aware of when an online endorser has been compensated in connection with an endorsement, the agency recently settled a complaint against a subscription service that allegedly offered its product for free to consumers who posted positive online reviews.

In the wake of reports about social media influencers purchasing fake followers and fake likes, as well as failing to adequately label endorsed content, online celebrities are embracing more relatable posts, potentially in an effort to appear more trustworthy.

To better compete with digital media platforms, the top 40 television markets in the United States will introduce a broadcasting standard that will enable interactive and targeted advertising.

Snap Inc., whose Snapchat app currently excludes users younger than 13 but generally does not verify ages, has announced that it is working with British lawmakers to prevent underage children from signing up for its service.

What’s up with Google’s new streaming game platform?

A photographer is suing supermodel Gigi Hadid for copyright infringement for posting a photo of herself to Instagram.

Fruit of the Loom is holding a contest on Instagram in search of the best jingle for their Breathable Boxer Briefs. See how much the underwear manufacturer promises to award the winning songwriter.