Lawsuit Claims Facebook’s ‘Like’ Button Misappropriates Teen Photos
A potential class action lawsuit claims that Facebook’s “like” button converts teens into product endorsers, violating a California law that bars the use of minor’s names or photos without parental permission.
When teens hit “like,” their opinion is transmitted, along with their photos, to their Facebook friends. Such an endorsement generates more advertiser click-throughs, the suit says, and more revenue to Facebook. Online Media Daily has the story on the original suit, and a follow-up with expert reaction.
The California law was passed in 1971, before the Internet age, notes University of Minnesota law professor Bill McGeveran. “The borderline between conversation and advertising is really blurry in social networking,” he tells Online Media Daily. “That borderline used to be very clear in traditional advertising.”
A Facebook spokesperson said the lawsuit is without merit.
