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Sunday, November 19, 2017

Social Media Disclaimer. The Writers Lens™

The catch phrase "retweets are not endorsements" which is terribly obsolete now according to Patrick LaForge suddenly comes alive amongst social media users recently. 

LaForge, whose twitter handle is identified as @palafo is inarguably attributed with the catch phrase "retweets are not endorsements" as then used on his twitter bio about a decade ago is the editor of express team @nytimes breaking news and general assignment desk. 

His intention then was genuinely sincere as he (LaForge) used it as a disclaimer because of the spread of misinformation online which was then and today poorly understood to both protect his personal reputation and that of the firm (@nytimes "links and retweets of non-NYT content are not endorsements") he was working for.


LaForge, who realised he did create a social media monster admitted that the catch phrase "... makes him cringe now" in an interview with @cwarzel of @BuzzFeedNews on 15 April 2014 has updated his twitter bio with "every day is a good day".

Although, a school of thought is of the opinion that retweets are not endorsements. However, the social media school of thought in its opinion agrees that retweets are endorsements. 
The latter school recognised retweets as a word in its dictionary freely licensed for use but at users own discretion and risk.

Talking about trending social media platforms, its negatives can't be ignored nor has it outweighed its positives as extra caution must be every users watch rule. 

I recall sometime in 2016 on Facebook, users posted some form of disclaimer ("I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information") note to Facebook on their respective facebook "what's on your mind" page instructing Facebook NOT to use their uploaded pictures. Some selected users (I'm excluded) ignorantly copied and pasted on their facebook wall or possibly shared it without x-raying the possible outcomes. 

In reality, Facebook did not in anyway forcefully ask for your pictures, users voluntarily signed up so as to connect with family, friends, business associates and others. This is not attributed to Facebook alone, but all social media platforms.

Does any social media platform user read to understand the terms, conditions and user policy before signing up ?

From religion to politics, business to education and entertainment, the various in-use social media platforms directly or indirectly is an integral part of everything today.

As for me, once, I come across any post on any of the social media platforms I use, its my choice to like, comment, share for Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or retweet for Twitter.

Retweet is "willingly" reposting or forwarding another individual's post without the individual consent. This individual maybe on your approved network of friends or not. 

Endorsement is a satisfactory written or oral approval given for either a subject or object without the latter's consent. This subject or object could be a product, service, person, company and possibly a social media post like mine which you are likely going to like, comment, share or retweet.

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