defamation on a website

[againstthewall2]

What is the name of your state?
I live in Ohio.
This is complicated, but stupid. My Son has a Girlfriend.
Her Ex Boyfriend built a website saying un-true things about her and my son by association with her. I know that she could sue him if all those things he has said are untrue, right?

My question is because this troubled young man has also posted my phone number on his disgusting website.
What can I do to get this information removed from his web site?

I don't have any interest in being involved in their drama. But the troubled young man has encouraged his readers to use my phone number to contact my son. A phone number is the same as an address even if it's unlisted. I might be paranoid but I really don't want the attention of all the crazy people who think this is funny.

What can I expect from the law?
Is there any remedy or protection?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

What is the name of your state?
I live in Ohio.
This is complicated, but stupid. My Son has a Girlfriend.
Her Ex Boyfriend built a website saying un-true things about her and my son by association with her. I know that she could sue him if all those things he has said are untrue, right?

Based on the facts in your post, NO.

My question is because this troubled young man has also posted my phone number on his disgusting website.
What can I do to get this information removed from his web site?

Basically, nothing.

I don't have any interest in being involved in their drama. But the troubled young man has encouraged his readers to use my phone number to contact my son. A phone number is the same as an address even if it's unlisted. I might be paranoid but I really don't want the attention of all the crazy people who think this is funny.

and your phone number, address or name is public information.

What can I expect from the law?

Again, based on the specific facts in your post, nothing. this is a civil matter.

Is there any remedy or protection?

Yes, see above.

 

[againstthewall2]

Thanks for your quick reply but..

Are you saying that it is OK for anyone to put a persons phone number on a website and encourage people to call them? Isn't there something wrong with that?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Are you saying that it is OK for anyone to put a persons phone number on a website and encourage people to call them? Isn't there something wrong with that?

Something wrong with that doesn't translate to against the law. Change your phone number.

 

[shannon-cl]

In general, common sense would tell most people it is not too smart to post false statements about anyone. The person could be sued for Libel. I agree for the most part this is a civil matter. However, in some cases depending on the nature of what was published; criminal charges may apply. If you falsely accuse someone of committing a crime, dealing drugs, or stealing etc.. These statements ,may all be actionable in civil court. If you are not directly involved, I would stay away from the whole thing. If someone else is troubled, that is their problem, not yours..

 

[David Jonathan]

okay, to sue for Libel you have to prove damages - however ...

you can take them to court to get a judge to order the website be shut down - this will cost money, but it CAN be done, and HAS been done before, contact a local attorney for help on that.

On the website in question, where your phone number is posted, you can contact whoever actually owns the server/provides the webspace available and request that your number be removed - MOST ISP's have a policy of not posting peoples personal information (public or not) becasue the internet service providers, Server Admins and companies of the like don't want to go to court for ANY reason. You can also complain about the rest of the website to those folks - they may or may not grant your request to remove the harmful information from their service ...

--Dave.

 

[againstthewall2]

Not criminal but civil...

Right, I don't need these poor miserable kids to drag me into their drama.
I have reported the website to the hosting company and asked that it be removed.
Now, I get to change my phone number. I sure hope I don't loose any business because my old phone number doesn't work.

(I wonder, could anyone just go ahead and give me their phone number right here and now, I promise not to call after 1 am and I'm sure the all the other viewers out there will respect your privacy it is public information right?)

So if this is a civil action my new job is to keep track of all the damages and try to find some one able to pay, like the web hosting company?

Correct me if I'm wrong. but my only viable option here is to walk away and hope I'm not followed.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Right, I don't need these poor miserable kids to drag me into their drama.
I have reported the website to the hosting company and asked that it be removed.
Now, I get to change my phone number. I sure hope I don't loose any business because my old phone number doesn't work.

(I wonder, could anyone just go ahead and give me their phone number right here and now, I promise not to call after 1 am and I'm sure the all the other viewers out there will respect your privacy it is public information right?)

So if this is a civil action my new job is to keep track of all the damages and try to find some one able to pay, like the web hosting company?

Correct me if I'm wrong. but my only viable option here is to walk away and hope I'm not followed.

Listen, Let's put this to rest right now. You have no damages based solely on the facts (or lack of them) in your post. How do you have or contend you have damages from the publication of information that is completely public access?

Secondly, while an ISP is free to set it's own policy, it is NOT illegal to post public information so if they tell you no, that's the end of it.

So, unless you come back here and post exactly what was posted, you have no other option but to change your number. PERIOD!

 

[David Jonathan]

the hosting company is an "innocent party" involved in this - the only reason they'd go to court is if you had an injunction to make THEM take the site down.

Requesting them to remove your phone number and the whole site is good, to start,

You should send a certified letter (Return Receipt Requested) to the offending party/website owner, asking nicely to remove YOUR information from the website. If you son and his girlfriend are over 18, they'll have to deal with him the rest of the way.

and remember, before you change your number, and think you can collect damages from missed clients, you'll have to prove there was a need to change your number, beyond it being posted on the internet (IE: harassing phone calls through the middle of the night) ... if you start getting these types of calls, use the *57 feature on your phone, to trace, and track each call.

You'll need a local attorney if you still feel you need to go to court.

--Dave.