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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think you have to be really really careful

58 replies

Aprillygirl · 09/04/2019 00:02

about what you say online these days? The lady being held in Dubai right now for calling her ex husband an idiot is censorship gone mad in my opinion. I feel like we've all been sucked into this place called Social Media on the pretence that it's giving us,the plebs, a voice when really we are being watched,censored and controlled much more than we realise,and are becoming weak and scared to speak out incase because we are terrified to be thought of being nn pc.

OP posts:
GottaGoGottaGo · 09/04/2019 08:41

Maybe I'm old, but why put anything on SM that is offensive, or makes you look stupid...? Or if you really feel you have to, why not make sure your privacy settings are sorted?

And whilst I feel a little bit sorry for this woman seems a bit of overkill, anyone who has lived in the UAE, been to the UAE, married an Emirati, or even knows anyone who has lived in the UAE etc, knows that you just DON'T put anything derogatory about the place or the people on SM. It's not a hard rule to follow.

CarolDanvers · 09/04/2019 08:48

Or just avoid countries with brutal oppressive regimes, and you’ll be fine!

Well no. We live in a country where a breastfeeding woman was questioned and held at a police station for 7 hours for saying something someone didn't like on line.

Laiste · 09/04/2019 08:51

For ages it's been smart to be mindful about what you (or others) put out there online about yourself.

About 10 years ago my BIL paid someone a lot of money to clean up his 'online persona' before he applied for a particular job. (he got the job)

Greyhound22 · 09/04/2019 08:56

You've always had to be careful what you say on Social Media 🙄 yes this is an extreme case but there's a very fine line that if you cross - and I'm talking in this country you will find yourself with a criminal record. I started to see it over ten years ago so I should think it's quite common now (no longer work in the justice system). Moral of the story is stick to posting memes of kittens and wishing people Happy Birthday - it's neither big nor clever to air your dirty laundry or have fights online.

As for what you do in your spare time having nothing to do with your employer - if it affects your work then of course it does. I had an employee that would call in sick every other Monday. He was soon shopped in by disgruntled colleagues who had seen photos of him on Facebook pissed as you like the previous night. Same as if you take part in a dangerous sport - if it means you're off half the year with broken limbs of course it will become a concern.

ginghamtablecloths · 09/04/2019 09:01

I think you've always had to be careful about what you write, either on social media (which gives many of us a voice which we may not have in the past) or in black and white on a piece of paper. You can't un-write it and many things come across in a much more stark way iyswim. So, yes caution is required.

Sarahjconnor · 09/04/2019 09:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Missingstreetlife · 09/04/2019 09:03

Not unknown for uk police to contact ppl about gender critical remarks on fb and twitter, accusing them of transphobia. No one imprisoned yet but there is atmosphere of repression, see today's news about Tavistock.

Laiste · 09/04/2019 09:04

If i was considering an applicant my first port of call would definitely be to look them straight up on FB. See what they do and say. And what they did and said in the past. I mean who wouldn't!

Laiste · 09/04/2019 09:05

Sarahjconnor ShockShock

formerbabe · 09/04/2019 09:06

Actually I think it could very easily happen here.

SnuggyBuggy · 09/04/2019 09:08

When going somewhere like Dubai you should definitely do your research on the laws.

phoenixrosehere · 09/04/2019 09:08

I doubt it is age GottaGoGottaGo. It’s not having common sense and thinking about the consequences of actions when posting online.

In this day and age, most people know or should know:

A. How to work privacy settings on social media

B. Not to say things you wouldn’t say in public or post things you wouldn’t want the world to see on it

C. Ask permission if other people or their children are featured before posting it online.

D. Don’t post where you work unless necessary.

Companies have also had social media clauses for years to protect themselves should an employee do something that makes them look bad especially if it makes them lose money. If people don’t want to abide by that they can choose to work somewhere else. It’s not exactly difficult to think about what you post on social media.

I haven’t heard about the case mentioned though so have no opinion until I find out more.

TFBundy · 09/04/2019 09:22

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Amongstthewildthings · 09/04/2019 09:57

I personally think that social media is used to police people, but it's weird how it works. People can have debates online about controversial topics, and be accused of a hate crime, and yet there is plenty of online bullying that we don't yet understand how to punish appropriately. I do think the veneer of freedom of speech is just that. Realistically, a blue joke, an unpopular opinion or a moment of frivolity and you're in trouble.

ClingFilmApplications · 09/04/2019 10:18

Or just avoid countries with brutal oppressive regimes, and you’ll be fine!

No you won't. The malicious communications act means that if you know you'll upset someone by posting words online but you do so anyway, you can be jailed for two years.

Last year the police investigated over six thousand people in the UK for things they'd posted on social media.

ClingFilmApplications · 09/04/2019 10:19

Index on Censorship is very concerned about what's happening in the UK right now.

ClingFilmApplications · 09/04/2019 10:20

"Man investigated by police for re-tweeting transgender limerick"

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/24/man-investigated-police-retweeting-transgender-limerick/

Polarbearflavour · 09/04/2019 10:38

Look at all the inflammatory / abusive / racist comments on the Daily Mail. It’s not like the millions of comments on there get reported and IP addresses given to the police is it?

Sarahjconnor · 09/04/2019 11:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SnuggyBuggy · 09/04/2019 11:17

That's terrifying

Original poster
Aprillygirl · 10/04/2019 10:04

MN are have been asked by a court this week to hand over the personal details of a poster for a civil case and as far as we know they are not going to appeal and they are going to comply. Yes, I think you need to be careful
^ This
And reading some of your replies my fears have intensified. It's really quite terrifying that one word or opinion could destroy your whole life. I guess the aim is for all to be insipid,compliant little robots scared to ever voice an opinion incase someone take offence Confused

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 10/04/2019 10:45

Under his eye

Aquilla · 10/04/2019 10:50

The OP has used a very specific example (and therefore a poor one) but I think anyone who doesn't believe this is the road we are going down is incredibly naive.

Thingsdogetbetter · 10/04/2019 10:55

The other side of the story is coming out. She'd been harassing them for years, sending emails to his work, his boss, his family etc. Had been previously warned by UK police on several occasions. The arrest was due to a incident and outstanding arrest warrant from 2 years ago, before the horse comment I believe. She was aware of the warrant and the risk when she choose to fly out, and to take their daughter with her.

She claims that she was left destitute, but could afford expensive flights?

I think this one will run with twists, turns and both sides revealing as they go.

Original poster
Aprillygirl · 10/04/2019 11:13

Under his eye

Blessed be the fruit. May the lord open.

Love the show.Cannot wait for it's return Smile

OP posts: