Is content posted on social media considered public or private?

The answer to whether content posted on social media is considered public or private can vary depending on the situation. In general, content posted on social media is considered public, especially if the account is public, meaning anyone can view it. In Tennessee, content posted on social media is protected under the Tennessee Personal Rights Act. This law states that anyone who posts content on social media has the right to control how the content is used. Specifically, it states that people have the right to privacy, meaning that their content should not be used or perceived in a way that would cause “unwanted, public disclosure” of their private affairs. For example, if someone posts an unpopular opinion or private information about themselves, they have the right to expect that other people won’t be able to easily view it or use it in a way that is damaging or intrusive. However, this doesn’t mean that everything posted on social media is completely private. Content posted on social media is not considered private if a user has chosen to make their account public. Since anyone can view content posted on a public account, the content might still be considered public even if the user thinks it’s private. Additionally, even if an account is set to private, it’s important to understand that anyone who can view the account can still screenshot and share the content. It’s important for users to understand their rights under the Tennessee Personal Rights Act so they can make informed decisions about how to protect their information on social media.

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