Twitter is being sued by a footballer

20 May 2011

Microblogging site Twitter is being sued by a footballer after users of the service began tweeting his name in connection with an alleged affair with model Imogen Thomas.

In recent weeks, the names of various people who had taken out gag orders or ‘super injunctions’, began to pop up on a mysterious Twitter account.

According to The Guardian, the account attracted 100,000 followers.

The case is being taken against “Twitter Inc and persons unknown” who are “responsible for the publication of information on the Twitter accounts.”

The court action is being taken by the footballer’s legal team and is the first action of its kind against Twitter and its users.

Last week, Mr Justice Baker issued an injunction explicitly banning the publication of information via Twitter or Facebook in relation to cases.

That order sets a precedent that will feature in future injunctions and the super injunctions that are at the centre of a media storm.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com