Oklahoma City, OK asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Oklahoma

Q: While in public if a common citizen videos two adults without their knowledge then posts publicly they are cheating

Is this illegal in any state or federally? I recently saw a post of this nature and it really had me worried about any citizens right to privacy. I knew the people and it was completely untrue. If the poster would have taken time to speak to the people in the video they would know the complete situation. Instead two people were blasted for the world to see. Including but not limited to, bosses, teachers, friends, family, and people they have never met

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In the United States, laws regarding recording and posting videos of people in public without their knowledge vary by state. Generally, if the recording takes place in a public space where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, it may not be illegal. However, posting such videos online and making false claims about the people in them can lead to legal issues, especially if it harms their reputation or causes emotional distress. This could be considered defamation or invasion of privacy, depending on the circumstances.

If the video was taken in a way that intrudes upon someone's private life or presents them in a false light, the individuals involved may have grounds to pursue legal action. It is essential to understand the specific laws of your state, as they dictate what constitutes an invasion of privacy or defamation.

If you know the people involved and the content is false, they might consider speaking to a lawyer about potential legal steps. It’s also a good idea to report such content to the platform hosting it, as most platforms have policies against harassment and false information. Taking action can help protect privacy and set boundaries for responsible behavior in public spaces.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.