Social influencer wins action against Facebook for ‘harmful’ posts



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An influencer on social media obtained Superior Court orders requiring Facebook to provide her with information to identify anonymous individuals who she claims are tracking, defaming and stalking her online.

The action against the social media giant was initiated by Lisa McGowan, who runs the popular ‘Lisa’s Lust List’ website.

She claims that she and her business are subjected to online harassment and defamatory comments by the parties, through accounts on social media platforms, whom she has not been able to identify.

To sue these posters for defamation, he sought orders against Facebook Ireland Ltd, which he hopes will help him identify the person or persons behind certain posts on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.

On Monday, in Superior Court, Judge Niamh Hyland said she was satisfied by the evidence presented in court that McGowan is entitled to an order, known as the ‘Norwich Pharmacal’ order.

The order requires Facebook Ireland Ltd to provide it with details that the social media company has about account holders that Ms McGowan claims are posting controversial posts about her.

Details include the identities of the account users, names, postal addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, IP address, and ISP.

Legal costs

Matthew Jolley Bl, instructed by John Connellan of Carley and Ms. McGowan’s attorneys for Connellan, said that discussions between the parties had resulted in an agreed wording for the order requested by his client.

In response, Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook said its side was “staying neutral” in relation to Ms McGowan’s request, which it described as a classic “Norwich Pharmacal” order.

The attorney thanked Ms. McGowan for agreeing that the posts she was complaining about had nothing to do with her client, adding that Facebook would not seek its legal costs against her.

After issuing the requested order, Judge Hyland adjourned the matter generally, with freedom to request it. The judge also did not issue an order regarding who should pay the legal costs of the action, meaning that both parties will pay their own costs.

In a statement issued out of court after the order was granted, Ms. McGowan welcomed the judge’s decision to make the requested order.

300,000 followers

He thanked his legal team, but added that he would not comment on the matter at this time.

Ms McGowan’s site specializes in promoting various products, including fashion, beauty, health, travel and household items, produced primarily by small and medium-sized businesses based in Ireland, and has 300,000 followers.

Ms McGowan, from Tullamore in Co Offaly, began her online promotional work after winning the Galway Races Best Dressed Women’s Contest in 2016.

In recent weeks, she claims that she and members of her family have been victims of bullying, trolling, and bullying online.

The publication of these comments, according to her, is “designed solely to inflict financial and reputational damage” to her and her company.

He also claims that he is a victim of what Mr. Jolley told the Superior Court are “sinister posts” about his movements, amounting to harassment.

In addition to her planned defamation proceedings, Ms. McGowan also filed a complaint with the Gardai about the postings.



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