In many ways, the internet is just a new massive arena for old problems. Whenever anyone expresses an opinion, something that lowers another person’s reputation, it’s potentially defamatory or slander if it’s only verbal, libel if it’s in writing. Slander is so common as to be unremarked. Nearly every gossip session involves numerous slanderous comments. In general calling or even implying someone is nasty, cheating, uncaring, or even just unattractive is slander. Only very rarely do such comments lead to defamation threats in law, much less actions-fortunately so, because otherwise the legal system could not possibly cope with the amount of claims.

Defined

The law, defamation, vilification, slander, or libel is the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressively stated or implied to be factual which in turn may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism.

Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts arises where one person reveals information which is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. Unlike libel or slander, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy.

False light laws are “intended primarily to protect the plaintiff’s mental or emotional well-being” If a publication of information is false, then a tort of defamation might have occurred. If that communication is not technically false but is still misleading then a tort of false light might have occurred.