Barely a week goes past without another news story about some hapless individual getting into trouble as a result of Social Media. Accordingly I’ve decided to keep a record of some of these tales of woe. I’ll continue to add to it as new stories come up so if you spot a good one, let me know!
It’s worth noting that I’m collecting these as useful ‘lessons learned’ – not to put people off using such platforms for their organisations, but to provide a clearer picture of some of the pitfalls.
Labour sacks candidate in Twitter row – 9th April 2010
Quite an astonishing one, this. The phrase “should have known better” has never been more applicable. I’ve written a brief post analysing the story.
Sunday Express makes a Twit of itself – 17th January 2010
The article has since been pulled, but is a reminder of how easy it is to criticise social media without fully understanding it, as Tory MP Anne Widdecombe will now be finding out, after giving the Express a quote based on their dubious findings.
Alpha Course online poll backfires – 23rd October 2009
The Christian Alpha Course’s multi-million pound advertising campaign has potentially backfired when an online poll, asking whether people believed in God, showed an abnormally high 98% saying ‘No’. (source: The Register). Suspicions of an online sting by atheists seem highly likely.
I’ve also written a post looking at the risks of online polls.
Staff at PC World and Currys mock customers’ ‘stupidity’ on Facebook – 6th September 2009
Comments describe customers as ‘really stupid’ and ‘ignorant’, with some suggesting that they should be punched or even cattle-prodded (source: Guardian). Parent company DSG plans to investigate and take ‘necessary action’.
Lloyds spams Tweeters going on their hols – 26th August 2009
Automatic tweets to anyone mentioning the word ‘holiday’, plugging the pharmacy’s Travel Health webpage, do not go down well in the Twittersphere (source : pezholio.co.uk). Attempts to contact the company, suggesting they change their tactics, are ignored.
MI6 boss in Facebook row – 5th July 2009
Personal details about the next head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, are removed from Facebook amid security concerns (source: BBC News). Foreign Secretary David Miliband denies that security had been compromised, saying: “You know he wears a Speedo swimsuit. That’s not a state secret.”
Habitat abuses Twitter hashtags – 20 June 2009
UK furniture store Habitat starts tweeting, but abuses the hashtag in a surprising spate of spammy behaviour (source: Social Media Today) which quickly attracts criticism amongst Twitter users. Misused hashtags include #iphone, #Apple and #MOUSAVI (in a pretty cynical attempt to cash in on the high profile Iranian elections).
Force disciplines police blogger – 16 June 2009
A serving detective, revealed as the author of a high-profile blog, has been disciplined by his force (source: BBC). The award-winning blog had included criticisms of government ministers and police bureaucracy.
Council freezes Twitter account after insult gaffe – 3 June 2009
A council-run newspaper accidentally Tweets a potentially insulting message (source: localgov.co.uk), apparently intended only as a Direct Message to one person. Twitter account promptly shut down.
Probe into teacher Twitter posts – 22 May 2009
Teacher caught Tweeting on her mobile phone during class time (source: BBC). Up to 38 comments a day, some discussing her pupils. An investigation is launched.
Facebook gaffe earns woman the sack – 27 April 2009
A Swiss Insurance worker is fired after using Facebook whilst off sick (source: PC Pro). She had claimed a condition which prevented her from using her computer, and insisted she had accessed Facebook via her phone whilst in bed.
Video prank damages Domino’s brand – 15 April 2009
Domino’s Pizza employees post a film of unsavoury kitchen activity on Youtube (source: NY Times). Within days, millions have viewed the footage, and outrage spreads across the internet.
Damage control - Dominos responds via Youtube
New Skittles Twitter homepage not so sweet – 2 March 2009
Skittles adds a homepage feed of Tweets about it’s product, only to be inundated with abusive, unmoderated comments (source: PC Pro). As one poster observes, Skittles have “opened up the brand so we can all deface it.”
Girl fired for comment on Facebook – 27 Feb 2009
Girls describes her office job as ‘boring’ on Facebook. Is subsequently fired (source: BBC). Employer says “her display of disrespect and dissatisfaction undermined the relationship and made it untenable”.
Ryanair and the ‘idiot bloggers’ – 25 Feb 2009
Ryanair employees leave abusive comments on a blog which had reported a flaw in their website (Source: Times Online). The official statement that comes afterwards does little to defuse the situation.
Further reading
- How Facebook can get you fired
- Social Media Pitfalls: 5 lessons learned
- Top Ten Branded Social Media Gaffes
Tags: Facebook, gaffes, social networking, Twitter, web 2.0, Youtube