Facebook defamation is one of the fastest-growing legal challenges in Georgia. Since Facebook is the country's primary social platform and information source, disinformation spread here can cause immense damage. The problem is compounded by the specifics of social networks: viral spread of information, anonymous profiles ("bots" and "trolls"), and the ability to quickly delete evidence. Many mistakenly believe that a comment or post written on social media does not incur legal liability. In reality, Georgian court practice actively reviews Facebook disputes and holds both post authors and sharers liable if they engage in defamation. These types of disputes require not only legal but also technological knowledge (evidence securing, IP addresses, platform rules).
What does the Facebook Defamation service cover?
The service focuses on protecting rights in the digital space:
- Electronic Evidence Securing: Legally valid recording of posts, comments, and reviews (screenshots, video recording, notarization) before they are deleted.
- Author Identification: Attempting to identify the real persons behind fake profiles through legal means (e.g., involving police if there are signs of cybercrime).
- Communication with Facebook: Sending reports to the platform administration regarding defamation, hate speech, or fake profiles to get the content blocked.
- Litigation: Preparing a lawsuit against a specific Facebook user demanding the deletion of the post and a retraction.
Common Scenarios and Needs
Most disputes relate to the following scenarios: Bullying in Groups: Offensive photos or false information (e.g., "This person is a fraud") spread in popular groups. Fake Pages: A clone page of a company or public figure is created, spreading misleading information. Comment Wars: Competitors write targeted false comments on a business page. Leaking Private Messages: Publishing confidential screenshots with distorted context.
Georgian Legislation and Regulations
Facebook defamation is regulated by the same laws as traditional media—the Civil Code and the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression. The law does not distinguish between an article written in a newspaper and a Facebook post—in both cases, liability arises if a false fact is disseminated. Court practice has already established a standard for accepting electronic evidence (screenshots), although their authenticity must be confirmed. Additionally, Facebook Community Standards apply, which often allow for a faster response than the courts.
Step-by-Step Process
The first step is immediately saving evidence. A simple "screenshot" is not always enough; notarization or using special software is preferred. In the next stage, the lawyer contacts the violator via private message (or publicly) and demands the post be taken down. If there is no reaction, a complaint is sent to Facebook administration. Concurrently, a lawsuit is prepared. The court can order the defendant to publish a retraction on the same page and pay compensation. At the enforcement stage, if the defendant does not delete the post, they may face fines.
Why Legal.ge?
Digital disputes require a lawyer who is tech-savvy. Legal.ge offers access to specialists who know how to find and penalize internet abusers. Our lawyers will help you collect evidence correctly so that the court accepts it. Do not leave cyberbullying unanswered—act with Legal.ge.
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