COULD one of your recent Facebook posts land you in jail?
If the content you share on the social media platform violates the law of the land, then it can be used against you in court.
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Can you get arrested for posts on Facebook?
The short answer is: Yes.
While writing a Facebook post is, obviously, perfectly lawful, if the content of it violates the law then you are liable for civil or criminal action.
Effectively, the sort of thing you’d get arrested for shouting in public can also earn you a stint in the clink if you post them online.
Generally speaking, the police do not actively search Facebook for, for instance, hate speech.
That means someone has to see a post and report it to the cops before the poster faces any criminal charges.
Here are some of the things that can get you arrested for posting.
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Hate speech
Hate speech violates Facebook’s policies and anyone who shares it risks having their account banned.
Vile and hateful posts – including those that make sexist, racist and homophobic remarks – can also get the poster landed in jail.
In August, a British woman was arrested after sharing “racist” posts over the death of a five-year-old Afghan refugee who died when he fell out of a hotel window.
Little Mohammed Munib Majeedi died just days after he and his family arrived in the UK while fleeing the Taliban to seek a safer life.
South Yorkshire Police said they arrested a woman after her vile online comments were reported.
She was booked on August 21 on suspicion of “malicious communications and racially aggravated public order offences”.
Acting Detective Inspector Lee Corker said: “I would like to remind people that comments made online can have serious consequences.
“Hate speech or hate crimes will not be tolerated in person or online, and will be dealt with robustly by officers.
“Our social media channels are monitored, and whilst we encourage discussion, offensive comments may be investigated. Please consider the impact your words may have before you post.”
At least 11 people were arrested over horrific racial abuse directed at England footballers Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford following their penalty misses at this year’s European Championship final.
Dangerous driving
Another common criminal offence that Facebookers have been arrested for is dangerous driving.
If you post a photo or video of yourself online in which you are breaking driving laws, you can expect a visit from the cops.
Last year, a driver and passenger were nabbed by cops in Canada after allegedly speeding at over 140kph (90mph) while sleeping.
Police said the unnamed daredevils had the front seats of their Tesla Model S reclined and were napping while the car appeared to steer itself on autopilot mode.
Tesla’s self-driving software uses artificial intelligence to steer and and brake for you but requires users to have their hands on the wheel at all times in case of emergency.
Cops in Alberta, Canada, were tipped off to the stunt by a video on social media that showed the car cruising with both seats reclined.
London’s High Court heard that Joanne Fraill, 40, contacted Jamie Sewart, 34, who had already been acquitted in a drugs trial in Manchester.
Affecting a criminal case
According to BBC News, your Facebook posts can also land you in jail if they interfere with or ruin a criminal trial.
That means you’re in trouble if you approach jurors on the platform, or comment on the character of defendants, victims or any witnesses.
You can also get in trouble for posting messages saying you know the defendant in a case definitely did it.
Comment becomes criminal when you’re in “Contempt of court”, which happens when someone risks unfairly influencing a court case.
It may stop somebody from getting a fair trial and can affect a trial’s outcome.
You can be in contempt of court for actions in a court room or for comments made in public, including on social media.
If you’re found to be in contempt of court, you could go to prison for up to 2 years, get a fine, or both.
In 2011, a juror was jailed for eight months after she admitted to contacting a defendant via Facebook.
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Millions of Facebook users warned over strange text that you NEED to delete
In other news, Samsung is reportedly killing off its beloved Note smartphone after more than a decade.
Apple has announced that it will let customers fix their own iPhones for the first time starting next year.
The UK is fighting an epidemic of hack attacks targeting consumers and businesses, according to officials.
And, NASA has slammed Russia after a missile it fired into one of its own satellites forced the space station to perform an emergency swerve.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
