Social media has become a common pastime for many Americans. It allows users to connect with others, access a whole online world and vent their thoughts to an audience.
However, for Texans dealing with criminal charges, these benefits may actually endanger their liberties. They may wonder if law enforcement can use their social media against them.
Authorities can use digital evidence
Law enforcement can use social media history as digital evidence when investigating someone. Individuals dealing with criminal charges should be wary that the police could use these techniques:
- Scour through an entire social media history
- Access your online correspondence
- Monitor profiles for new posts
- Go undercover using fake profiles to get information
- Speak with social media contacts
If investigators gather information relevant to a case from social media, they may be able to authenticate the evidence and use it against someone.
What can you do about it?
If you are worried that your social media activity might affect the outcome of an investigation you are involved in, considerate may help to take the following steps:
- Stop posting: One of the first things you can do is to stop posting entirely, especially when it comes to your criminal charges. Avoid sharing details about a case online or venting about it to your social media contacts.
- Reject new contacts: If you notice unfamiliar accounts attempting to connect with you, it may be wise to ignore them. These could be undercover law enforcement agents.
- Leave your posts alone: You may feel anxious or panicked during an investigation. However, you should avoid deleting past social media posts. Investigators may read this as an attempt to conceal or destroy evidence.
If you are under investigation, it is important to realize that social media might not be your friend. Consider taking these steps to mitigate the risks digital evidence can play in the outcome of your case.