Trial by Social Media - Another interesting post via Facebook

cuteduck on 03/04/2013 - 00:54

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?theater&fbid=1015140378399…

I came across a recent post that went viral @ facebook (16800+ shares and thousands of comments) with regards to car service provided by Hyundai Australia. This is becoming a very common "trial by social media" nowadays. Hyundai Australia is able and capable to deal with the negative post professionally and has not threatened Facebook to take down the post immediately in any means. I applaud the Ozbargain decision not to take down the recent post (http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/98410) despite potential legal treat(s).

General Discussion

Comments

  • camelgrass on 03/04/2013 - 06:56

    I'm assuming the post could still be removed if certain developments were to continue to pan out. But yes, for now, good on OzBargain for leaving the post published. Similar occurrences have happened in the past eg. McDonald's not allowing posts because of trademark infridgements. Running a website such as Ozbargain must mean Scotty has his lawyer on speed dial. :-)

    Regarding Facebook and Hyundai, well there's just no match. Facebook has a huge army of lawyers and have covered themselves thoroughly in their policy design.

    BTW, do you know personally that Hyundai have not been in contact with Facebook regarding the particular post in question? Hyundai may have no choice at this stage other than to put on a professional face.

  • Geewhizz on 03/04/2013 - 08:45
    +1

    Without reading the entire thread on the Hyundai post, I consider it is to their credit that they have not pulled it down. The issue the poster has is with the individual dealer, not Hyundai themselves.

  • tonyjzx on 03/04/2013 - 10:33
    +1

    This has no bearing on Hyundai really. Its the dealer.

    I've had the same car at two different dealers and it makes all the difference.

  • scotty on 03/04/2013 - 11:32

    Actually I don't have a lawyer on speed-dial. In fact it would be great if anyone can recommend me a lawyer / legal service, or some lawyers here know the online defamation stuff — feel free to contact me.

    We got a lot of threats in the past, although most are bluffing. With the linked thread by OP, we are already doing as much as we can to present two sides of stories, and close the thread when the merchant asked to have all their comments removed (as it's only fair to them when the community can no longer add to the discussion). I also consider most community members have conduct themselves very appropriately.

    However there's still a possibility that we need a lawyer this time. Yeah, contact me.

    • lisss on 03/04/2013 - 13:37

      Most will be bluffing even if they "engage" a lawyer, unless it's a big company who have in-house counsel which may deal with matters like this regardless of any cost/benefit analysis. It's not hard to get a lawyer to write an official-sounding threatening letter, and this is enough to scare most people (or get them to back down, to avoid having to get their own legal advice) but whether or not the threats have any substance is another matter. Hopefully someone on here can help, I don't practice in that area of law unfortunately.

    • cuteduck on 03/04/2013 - 20:19

      Scott,

      Finally, it was published @ sydney morning herald (FAIRFAX)…I guess that FXJ will have top media lawyer defending their publication/defamation.

      http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/customer-shames-mechanic-…

  • voteoften on 03/04/2013 - 12:21

    I thought this was going to be about the footage of mice at Hoyts Carousel. The mice climbing on seat and eating food. The place is allegedly crawling with them and they are not shy.

    • lisss on 03/04/2013 - 13:40

      Same! There were heaps of people on Nova FM this morning telling stories about rats/mice running onto their feet and into their food during movies. It's not acceptable to keep cinemas open when there's that level of infestation IMO, it's disgusting that management didn't take action sooner. Now that the media are jumping all over it, Hoyts Carousel will probably suffer a pretty big reputation hit.

      • voteoften on 03/04/2013 - 15:29

        I am surprised we didn't hear of it the first time it happened. One woman said her grand daughter had to brush the mice off of her twice. There is just no way I would stay for the second, especially if it was happening to a child. It would freak me out too much. FFS

        • maximum on 03/04/2013 - 22:47

          …

        • maximum on 03/04/2013 - 22:48

          Yuck! Gives a new meaning to horror movie.

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