‘Friending’ the Federal Rules: An Analysis of Facebook ‘Likes’ Under the Federal Rules of Evidence
Molly D. McPartland
University of Iowa – College of Law
April 26, 2013
Abstract:
Social Media is an important part of our lives. New ways to communicate using social media are constantly emerging, and the influence of social media on our culture and in our courtrooms is bound to increase. Aside from the Virginia District Court’s blunder in Bland v. Roberts — holding that a Facebook ‘like’ is not protected by the First Amendment — courts have yet to deal with nonverbal social media content such as Facebook ‘likes.’ This Note explains why courts should apply the existing Federal Rules of Evidence excluding hearsay and allowing adoptive admissions to Facebook ‘likes’ and other nonverbal social media content. This Note argues against reforming the Federal Rules as parties increasingly use nonverbal social media content in the courtroom.