Investigating Facebook: The Ethics of Using Social Networking Websites in Legal Investigations

Abstract

Social networking websites contain a wealth of data that is useful in a variety of situations, including legal disputes. Some information on social networks is publicly available, but most of it is restricted. This article examines when and how lawyers are ethically and legally permitted to collect information from social networking websites, and in particular when undercover data collection is, if ever, appropriate. It considers how the Model Rules of Professional Conduct regulate the use of deception to obtain information restricted to selected friends on social-networking websites. The case law and the rules are unclear in this area suggesting a number of ways in which the rules could be improved for greater equity between parties and clarity so lawyers know what is appropriate.

Keywords: social network, social networks, ethics, legal ethics