Social influencer’s Facebook action over troll identities adjourned
Posted on 24th August 2020 at 21:09
A social media influencer’s High Court action against Facebook aimed at identifying anonymous persons she claims are trolling, defaming and stalking her online has been adjourned for a week.
The action against the social media giant has been brought by Lisa McGowan, who runs the Lisa’s Lust List website.
She claims she and her business are the subject of the online harassment and defamatory comments by unknown parties.
In order to sue the posters for defamation she seeks orders against Facebook Ireland Ltd which she hopes will identify the person or persons behind the posts on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Ms McGowan seeks a court order, known as a Norwich Pharmacal, to require Facebook Ireland Ltd to provide her with details the social media company has in relation to the accounts making the controversial posts about her.
The details include the account users’ identities, names postal addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, IP address and ISP.
Last week her legal team secured permission from the High Court to serve short notice of the proceedings on Facebook.
The case on Monday returned before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, who was told by Matthew Jolley BL for Ms McGowan and the company that the parties are in discussions.
Counsel said that the parties had not reached a final agreement over what orders the court should grant his clients.
In reply Rossa Fanning SC for Facebook said there was an issue between the sides over certain URLs or web addresses. Counsel said it was preferable that the matter be adjourned to allow matter to be finalised.
The judge adjourned the matter for a week.
Ms McGowan’s site specialises in promoting various products including fashion items, beauty, health, travel and homeware items mainly produced by Irish-based small to medium enterprises, and has 300,000 followers.
Ms McGowan, from Tullamore in Co Offaly, started her online promotional work after she won the best dressed lady competition at the Galway Races in 2016.
In recent weeks she claims that she, and members of her family, have been subjected of online bullying, trolling and harassment.
The publication of these comments she claims are “designed solely to inflict reputation and financial damage” on her and her firm. She also claims she is the victim of sinister posts about her movements, that amount to stalking.
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