Screenshot photos are now accepted as evidence in court
The most beautiful thing in social media is allowing us to reconnect and connect to people we love. Also, it allows us to make a relationship with other people especially when they are far away from us. We all know how important social media is right now. Some may say that we cannot live without it anymore because if we don't use any social media, we feel like we are left behind by what's happening in the world. It is true that social media has its own perks and losses too.
As I was reading some news online, I was hooked by the current news that stated photos and text messages in social media can now be used as evidence in court in the Philippines. I was surprised because so far, text messages are private conversations and you can only use it if both parties agree. However, today the game has changed. The rule and law has changed because of one certain case that happened in 2016. Although this case happened 6 years ago, it was the one who pushed to accept the photos and text messages as valid evidence in court.
Many of you would wonder why it was allowed now? What makes it useful in the court for me to use it? Well, in 2016 there is a case where a 24 years old man was sentenced of Anti-Child Pornography Act because of what he did. This man exchanges messages online to a 14-year old girl using her mother's cellphone. The man was always asking nude photos of the girl and the mother found out about this. Of course, as a mother, your first move is to confront the man and go to the police to report what happened.
What's crazy about this is the girl actually forgot to logout her account and that's why her mother caught her messages. When the mother reported this to the police, she pursued justice to seek protection of her child. You know, a 14-year old girl has no idea what she's into, rather than a 24 years old man who is seeking nude and private photos of this young girl. I cannot believe how this man actually wanted to see a young girl's nude photo if he can just search it online to find some. We know how broad and wide the pornography these days.
In June 17, 2022, the Supreme Court announced that photos and chat messages from Facebook Messenger can now be accepted as evidence in the court. It was a win-win law and rights for people who have been scammed, fraud, and bullied online. It was a great announcement for me because as a person who uses different social media platforms. A lot of people can message us and seek nude photos. So now, you can use their words and chat messages as proof and solid evidence so that lawyer and judge would believe you.
It is very important when we are conversing to strangers online to be aware of what's going on. You know, on Facebook, you can easily spot and notice whether the account is real or fake. Just by looking at friends, photos and profile details. You can spot them right away. If you know they are dummy accounts or fake accounts, don't entertain them anymore. Do not play fire with another fire. At the very end, when you avoid these kinds of people, you protect yourself from harm and you win.
Another reason why I think the court respected and allowed the chat messages as evidence is because to show the user's intent and actions. Like, it is very important in determining whether they are engaged in a criminal act or not. Victims can be so sure that whatever happened, they still have the power to win the case because of chat messages left by the offenders. Can you imagine how many people would be benefitted from this? There are so many youths who have been abused, molested, and bullied online. Some received death threats and that triggers for others to just kill themselves because of shyness and shame.
There are so many ways of how we can make social media beautiful once again without toxic and intimidating people. Like in read cash, since I started here, I haven't ever received any bad or unpleasant comments from anyone. We know how much we protect the community and keep it as positive an environment as possible. We are very welcoming to new users and writers. If we did this here in read cash, then it is possible to happen in any social media platforms out there.
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This comes with advantage and disadvantage kasi once na may nakaalam ng Facebook account mo, madali na lang gumawa ng kwento niyan. Pero still, mas lamang ang good side nito. Always check and maintain a good password na lang talaga.