Welcome to Socially Aware

Socially Aware is devoted to the law and business of social media, proactively addressing emerging issues and keeping our clients informed of new developments. We cover fields such as artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, Section 230, intellectual property, and much more.

February 10, 2017 - Marketing, Employment Law, Ethics, Compliance
Join Us at the Social Media 2017: Addressing Corporate Risks Conference on February 15th
In the wake of a successful social media conference in San Francisco, Socially Aware co-editors John Delaney and Aaron Rubin are revved up and ready to chair (John) and present (Aaron and John) at another Practicing Law Institute (PLI) 2017 Social Media conference! This one
... ›
February 08, 2017 - Data Security, UK, Section 230 Safe Harbor, Compliance, Litigation
Now Available: The February Issue of Our Socially Aware Newsletter
By: Aaron P. Rubin
The latest issue of our Socially Aware newsletter is now available here. In this edition,we examine a spate of court decisions that appear to rein in the historically broad scope of the Communications Decency Act’s Section 230 safe harbor for website operators; we outline
... ›
February 08, 2017 - Section 230 Safe Harbor, Litigation
Snapchat Clocks Section 230 Win in Speed Filter Case
By: Aaron P. Rubin
We have been monitoring a trend of cases narrowing the immunity provided to website operators under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA). A recent decision by a state court in Georgia, however, demonstrates that Section 230 continues to be applied expansively in
... ›
February 07, 2017 - Advertising, Marketing, Mobile
Social Links: Trump’s tweets & the Presidential Records Act; Google’s fake-news raid; tools to burst your social bubble
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Some industry observers are asking whether the post-inauguration tweets that President Trump is sending from his personal Twitter account may be subject to the same Presidential Records Act standards as official presidential communications. Spending on mobile ads is expected to reach how much by
... ›
February 06, 2017 - DMCA
Second Circuit Clarifies “Repeat Infringer” Policy Requirement for DMCA Copyright Safe Harbors
By: J. Alexander Lawrence
Congress enacted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) nearly two decades ago seeking to balance the needs of two factions: Content creators, who were struggling to protect their intellectual property in the digital age, and fledgling Internet companies, who feared being held liable for
... ›
January 30, 2017 - Marketing, Employment Law, Ethics, Mobile, Compliance
Social Media 2017: Addressing Corporate Risks
Social media is transforming the way companies interact with consumers. Learn how to make the most of these online opportunities while minimizing your company’s risk at Practicing Law Institute’s (PLI) 2017 Social Media conference, to be held in San Francisco and webcasted on Thursday, February
... ›
January 25, 2017 - Blockchain, Internet of Things
Tech, Not Trade, Poses Biggest Threat to American Jobs
Donald Trump’s successful road to the White House was fueled by heated rhetoric against free trade deals and U.S. companies engaged in offshore outsourcing. Underpinning his slogan “Make America Great Again” was a premise that millions of jobs lost to other countries should and
... ›
January 20, 2017 - European Union, Marketing, Privacy, Online Reviews, Litigation
Social Links: Will a fan-made Star Trek prequel live long and prosper?; California bans driving while Snapchatting; apps that facilitate infidelity
By: Aaron P. Rubin
A federal district court judge refused to grant summary judgment to the copyright owners of the Star Trek franchise in the infringement suit they brought against the team behind a fan-made, crowdfunded prequel to the original Star Trek television series. Strict new European Union
... ›
January 10, 2017 - Event
Influence + Engage 2017
This Friday, January 13, in New York City, Socially Aware will be co-sponsoring and attending Influence + Engage 2017, a conference hosted by The Social Edge that will explore the intersection of social influence and audience engagement. With a keynote to be given by one of
... ›
January 09, 2017 - News and Announcements
2016: Our Greatest Hits
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Last year we explained how companies could protect their social media currency and heed the FTC’s warning on native advertising. We examined court opinions establishing the criteria for enforceable website terms of use and defining the scope of protection afforded to website owners under
... ›