Sharing without thinking could break the law! Beware of “defamation” on Platform X (Twitter)

In an era where social media has become part of daily life, many people may carelessly share, retweet, or comment on posts without thinking carefully — especially on Platform X (formerly known as Twitter), an open space where everyone can freely express their opinions. However, did you know that such actions could potentially constitute defamation without you even realizing it? You might even be liable for significant monetary damages.

Sharing someone else’s post could also put you at risk of “defamation.”

Many people mistakenly believe that defamation only applies to the original author or poster. In reality, however, those who share, retweet, or forward defamatory content can also be held legally liable.

Legally speaking, if the shared content contains false statements that harm another person’s reputation to a third party, whether through an original post or a repost, it constitutes dissemination to the public. This can immediately fall under the offense of defamation according to Section 326 of the Thai Criminal Code.

Furthermore, adding comments or expressing agreement with the original defamatory post significantly increases the likelihood of being seen as having clear intent to defame.

Platform X and the Increasing Problem of Defamation

Platform X is characterized by its emphasis on short posts and the ease of reposting (Repost or Retweet), leading to rapid dissemination of information. When someone posts defamatory content against another person and it gets widely reposted, the resulting damage can multiply significantly.

However, what many people don’t realize is that even if you are not the original poster, simply being a “distributor” of such content can still expose you to legal action. You may even be held liable as a “co-offender” under the law.

What Should You Do After Being Defamed? Lawyers Advise: Don’t Wait Until the Statute of Limitations Expires

For those who suffer damages from defamation on Platform X — whether from direct posts or reposts by others — Lawyer Arm from Wongsakorn Law Office advises not to delay taking legal action. Defamation cases have a limited “statute of limitations,” and if you fail to file within the prescribed period, you could lose your right to seek justice.

In criminal cases, the injured party must file a complaint within 3 months from the date they become aware of the defamation and the identity of the offender. In civil cases where monetary damages are sought, the statute of limitations is longer — 1 year from the date the defamation and the wrongdoer are known.

Therefore, if you are confident that you have been harmed, you should immediately collect evidence — such as screenshots, posts, links, and timestamps — and contact a lawyer to proceed with asserting your rights without delay.

Evidence: The Heart of a Defamation Case

In the digital era, various types of evidence can be used in defamation cases, including:

• Screenshots of the posted or shared content
• Links to the original post and any reposts
• Dates and times when the incidents occurred
• Witnesses who saw the posts or were affected by them
• Information about the user account that posted the content (if identifiable)

Lawyer Arm advises that all evidence should be preserved without alteration to ensure it can be effectively used to prove the facts in court.

Think Before You Share — Better Than Losing Money Unknowingly

As social media users, we must recognize that “freedom of expression” is subject to legal boundaries. Sharing posts or commenting about others without clear evidence can cause irreversible damage and lead to both civil and criminal liability.

There have been numerous defamation cases involving reposts where courts ordered compensation of hundreds of thousands of baht, or even imposed imprisonment (though sometimes suspended). We should learn from these real-life examples.

Defamation through Platform X is a serious issue that can severely harm a person’s reputation and financial standing. Every share or repost must be done with caution. If you are a victim of defamation, do not wait until the statute of limitations expires. Contact Lawyer Arm for advice and to pursue your legal rights as soon as possible.