What are the laws regarding defamation in an online setting?

In California, the law regarding defamation in an online setting is similar to the law regarding defamation in any other setting. Defamation is an untrue statement of fact that is published and causes harm to a person’s reputation. In California, a person can be liable for defamation if they publish someone else’s statement of fact that is false and damaging and is not protected by the First Amendment or another law. To prove defamation in an online setting, the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) must show that the defendant (the person being sued) made a statement of fact that was false and published it with knowing disregard for the truth or with negligence. The plaintiff also needs to show that the statement caused them to suffer actual harm in their reputation or financially. In California, anyone who posts a comment on the internet should be aware that they could be liable for defamation if their statement is untrue and causes harm to someone’s reputation. Therefore, in an online setting, it is important to think carefully before posting a comment about someone else. It is always best to stick to facts and be careful not to make untrue statements that could damage another person’s reputation.

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What are the laws regarding defamation in an online setting?

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