Individuals whose careers revolve around social media, including PR professionals, marketers, influencers, and small business owners—face a unique dilemma
The jury selection process in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York was truly like almost no other case in history. Nearly 200 potential jurors were brought in, and lawyers on both sides were allowed to comb through the answers the prospective jurors provided orally in court to a set of 42 questions to help determine impartiality. In addition, lawyers scoured through social media for posts that could reveal whether the people in the jury pool may have had hidden biases or extreme views.
While there had been no bombshell revelations, this deep dive into social media could have potentially revealed proverbial «skeletons in the closet,» and a question could be asked whether any juror should have to endure such a deep dive in the past.
«In today’s interconnected world, privacy and social media seem to be at odds. The allure of ’15 minutes of fame’ has become a daily pursuit for many, as the temptation to impulsively share our thoughts, argue, and self-celebrate via social platforms is more irresistible than ever. But there are consequences of willingly putting ourselves on display,» suggested Craig Barkacs, professor of business law and ethics in the MBA programs at the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego.
Social media has become a treasure trove of personal data, much of which an individual might not want to be revealed to the world—especially if old posts have been long forgotten.
«From public posts to private messages, our digital footprints reveal more about us than we realize. Intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and private investigators leverage this wealth of information to piece together profiles and uncover hidden connections,» added Barkacs.
