What can I do if someone is posting about me on social media?

Can police do anything about online harassment?

Yes, police can take action on online harassment, especially when it involves threats of violence, stalking, nonconsensual sexual imagery, or other clear crimes, but their intervention often depends on the severity, evidence, and specific state/federal laws; filing a report creates a paper trail for potential criminal or civil cases, and severe cases can involve the FBI. 

Can you press charges on someone for posting pictures of you?

Yes, you can often take legal action (press charges or sue) for someone posting pictures of you, especially if they are private, intimate, used commercially, or posted with false/harmful information, though it depends heavily on where the photo was taken (public vs. private) and how it's used, with remedies ranging from removal to financial damages under invasion of privacy, defamation, right of publicity, or specific revenge porn laws. 

What can I do if someone is slandering me on social media?

Sue for Defamation. While never to be undertaken lightly, suing is sometimes the only way to deal with defamation of character, especially if a cease and desist letter was ignored.

Is suing for defamation worth it?

Suing for defamation can be worthwhile if you suffered significant, measurable harm (reputational, financial, emotional) from false statements, and you have strong evidence, but it's a difficult, costly process involving intrusive discovery and proving damages, making legal consultation essential to weigh potential recovery against high legal fees and stress. 

Is posting about someone on social media harassment?

Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.

What proof is needed for defamation?

To prove defamation (libel or slander), you generally need to show a defendant made a false statement of fact, communicated it to a third party, with at least negligence (or actual malice for public figures), that it was about you, and that it caused you actual harm or damages, like reputational or financial loss, with truth being a strong defense. 

How can I get someone to stop posting about me?

Steps to Legally Stop Someone From Spreading Lies About You

1. Stay Composed. ...
2. Preserve Evidence of the False Content & Statements. ...
3. Report the Account to the Social Media Platform If Posted Online. ...
4. Privacy Laws & Opt-Outs (For Europeans) ...
5. Send a Cease & Desist Letter or Retraction Demand.

What is the punishment for social media harassment?

Sending Messages to Cause Harassment: This includes any text, email, or social media communication aiming to create fear or distress. Sentences can range from fines to imprisonment. For example, a person recently received a six-month prison sentence for persistent harassing messages spanning several weeks.

What evidence do you need for harassment?

To prove harassment, you need a detailed log of incidents (dates, times, locations, what happened), supported by tangible evidence like emails, texts, photos, videos, and witness statements, plus documentation of your complaints and the harasser's responses, showing the conduct was unwelcome, severe/pervasive, and based on a protected characteristic (like sex, race, etc.). Medical records showing impact and formal reports to HR/police also significantly strengthen a case. 

What to do if someone publicly humiliates you?

Document everything: Take screenshots of all humiliating posts, comments, messages, images, and other evidence. Keep a diary of important dates, times, and witnesses. Report harassment to platforms: File formal complaints with any social media sites, forums, or websites where your harasser is posting abusive content.

What can be considered forms of harassment in social media?

Identifying Forms of Harassment on Social Media

• Trolling. The term “troll” gets thrown around a lot—so much so that to some users, a troll simply means someone who disagrees with them. ...
• Bullying. ...
• Hate Speech. ...
• Doxing. ...
• Online Impersonation.

How expensive is it to sue for defamation?

Suing for defamation is often costly. Legal fees typically range from tens of thousands of dollars for straightforward cases to well over $100,000 for complex trials. The exact cost depends on case complexity, evidence and how far the case proceeds. Simple cases may cost tens of thousands of dollars.

What evidence is needed for emotional distress?

To prove emotional distress in court, it's essential to draw a direct connection between the defendant's actions and the emotional suffering experienced. Strong proof, such as medical records, psychological evaluations, journal entries, and witness observations, helps demonstrate how the trauma affected daily life.

Is suing people worth it?

Successful verdicts and settlements often result in greater compensation than pre-trial offers by insurance companies. Juries and judges may award damages covering all losses – medical expenses, lost earnings, property damage, and pain and suffering. Compensation through a lawsuit may more fully cover losses and needs.

Can police do anything about social media harassment?

For the police, criminal harassment generally requires threats of violence. Those threats of violence need to be specific and against you. In addition, the police should get involved in cases of real-life stalking that is being combined with online stalking.

Is it worth suing for slander?

Suing for slander can be worthwhile if you've suffered significant reputational or financial harm, but it involves costs, time, emotional toll, and proving actual damages, making consulting a defamation attorney crucial to weigh your specific case's benefits, costs, and risks. Success depends on proving a false statement was made to others, causing tangible harm like job loss or business damage, and some severe accusations (like committing a crime) may presume damages. 

What to do if someone posts you on social media without your permission?

We worked with the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative on this list of things you can do and organizations you can reach out to for support and advice.

1. Document the post. You may need a record of the post if you decide to take further action. ...
2. Report an Instagram post. ...
3. Unfollow or block the person who posted it.

Can you sue someone for posting you on social media without permission?

If someone posts your photo or video without your permission, you can try to contact them and ask them to take it down if you know who they are. You can then pursue legal action if that person continues to refuse.

Can you legally make someone delete pictures of you?

In the United States, statutes protecting privacy and intellectual property rights can be used to make someone take down photos of you under certain circumstances.

Can someone get in trouble for posting about you on social media?

Yes. You can be charged with a crime based on social media posts. While using social media is generally lawful, some posts can themselves be criminal—such as posts that distribute child sexual abuse material, unlawfully share intimate images, or make true threats to another individual.