Pennsylvania has no specific rules of court dealing with the discovery of allegedly private information in social media. In litigation, parties often request information of each other to help prove or defend against a court case. More and more, parties are demanding access to social media accounts to rifle through litigants’ photographs, personal connections, business associates, physical whereabouts, and habits.
This area of law is presently unsettled in Pennsylvania. Most requests for access to social media accounts arise in motor vehicle accident, slip and falls, and other personal injury cases. However, social media requests can arise in other types of cases, including ones you would not normally assume to have social media involvement, like a title insurance claim (for more information please see the case of Brogan v. Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP from Lackawanna County) . There are currently no Pennsylvania appellate cases addressing these requests. Most trial courts tend limit (BUT NOT EXCLUDE) the access to social media by opposing parties to avoid the litigation process devolving into fishing expeditions into the personal lives of litigants. Even in non social media situations, overbroad or unduly intrusive discovery requests are not permitted.
If you have questions about your legal situation, it is crucial that you have an experienced motor vehicle accident and litigation attorney. At Amori & Associates, LLC, the experienced litigation attorneys Scott M. Amori and Robert A. Saurman would be happy to discuss your situation. Please contact Amori & Associates at (570) 421-1406 for a no obligation consultation.