Twitter, Injunctions and Footballers

Hmmm …

Hmmmmm …

Or possibly even Hmmmmmmm …

You know, I’ve got to confess, I’m … concerned …

Sort of …

I don’t know if you knew, but the UK’s got privacy laws.

Obviously … !

And as part of this, over the past few weeks, Britain’s various news services have been reporting about the fact that various unnamed public figures have managed to get what’s been called ‘super injunctions’.

The main difference — as far as I understand it — is that an injunction, complete with details of who took it out, against who, and why, can be reported.

A super injunction can’t.

The problem is that, over the past few days, people have managed to tweet the names of several people who’ve had these super injunctions taken out.

Including a footballer known in court CTB.

He’s going to court to prevent various newspapers breaching the super injunction.

And issue a court order to get Twitter to hand over the details of anyone who’s tweeted all the juicy details.

»»•««

Now, I’ve go to admit, I’m a touch dubious about this …

I always try and be careful about what I say and do, online.

But I’m very aware that I’m not, by any stretch of the imagination, any kind of public figure …

Well …

Not unless you’ve a thing about short and chunky bloggers*.

But I’m very aware that, while we’ve all got an inherent right to privacy …

I believe public figures are — obviously — in the public eye.

Whether they’re politicians, premier league footballers or otherwise.

These people have chosen to put themselves in view.

And should maybe be a little bit MORE aware — and tolerant — of the fact people will want to know about everything they do.

* A very old and dear gay friend of mine swears blind I’d go down a storm on the teddy bear circuit …