That Stupid FB Notice

Someone I know posted this on FB.

Just in case Notice:..An attorney advised us to post this. The violation of privacy can be punished by law. NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you do not publish a statement at least once, it will be tacitly understood that you are allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates. I HEREBY STATE THAT I DO NOT GIVE MY PERMISSION.
Copy and re-post

I’ve seen it before, of course, as have all of you.

This was the comment I was going to add, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to harsh on them individually – that wasn’t my intent. So here you go:

If your attorney advised you to post this claiming it was useful in any way, consider suing them for malpractice. If some other non-attorney told you it would have some kind of effect like this for you, consider suing them for unauthorized practice of law, and then for malpractice for doing a crappy job.

Signed, a real attorney.

Short version: the terms and conditions are likely binding on users if those users keep using the service, particularly when it comes to the permissions they need to show a user’s photos in the photo tool when they’ve been shared.

If a person doesn’t want Facebook to use their stuff, they should keep it off of Facebook.

Today’s legal education minute. This is legal education about general principles, not legal advice about your specific facts. I’m a lawyer, but I’m not your lawyer.