There have been a few cases recently in which status updates or photos posted on social networking sites have been used as evidence in criminal trials. Judges have also placed restrictions on criminals using social networking sites as part of sentencing; in August, members of the Manchester-based Fallowfield Mad Dogs were forbidden from uploading photos of themselves with other gang members to MySpace.
Now, possibly for the first time, a man has used a Facebook status update as an alibi. Rodney Bradford was arrested as a suspect in a gun-point mugging in New York. The charges were dropped after it was revealed that Rodney's Facebook profile had been updated with the status "Where's my pancakes" at the time the mugging occurred. Facebook verified the address from which Rodney's page had been updated.
I'll be watching the papers closely to see if people using their online activities as proof of their offline movements becomes an increasing trend. Have you heard of any cases like this? Be sure to get in touch and let me know.
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