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Man sues old schoolfriend for libel after he made 'fake' entries on Facebook
Last updated at 11:49am on 01.07.08
Mathew Firsht claims his ex-friend Grant Raphael placed a damaging false profile on the Facebook social networking website
A company boss whose personal details were displayed on Facebook under a fake entry yesterday launched a landmark High Court claim for damages.
A false profile of Mathew Firsht was entered on the social networking website with his name and date of birth, incorrectly stating he was signed up to gay groups.
It also falsely claimed he was 'Looking for whatever I can get' in terms of a relationship and had lied to avoid repaying loans.
Mr Firsht is suing old schoolfriend Grant Raphael for libel and misuse of private information in what is believed to be the first defamation case involving Facebook in the UK.
He claims Mr Raphael, a cameraman, created the profile and a link on the site called 'Has Mathew Firsht lied to you?' from a computer at his flat after they fell out.
Mr Firsht's lawyer Lorna Skinner told the hearing in London that the private information covered his whereabouts, activities, birthday and relationship status.
It also falsely indicated his sexual orientation and political views.
The profile said he was signed up to groups on the site, including 'Gay in the Wood... Borehamwood' and 'Gay Jews in London'.
Mr Firsht said he was defamed by other claims that he owed large sums of money which he had repeatedly avoided paying by lying.
There were also false claims that he and his showbusiness company were not to be trusted and were a serious credit risk.
The profiles were on the internet for 16 days before Mr Firsht's brother spotted them and they were removed by Facebook staff.
Mr Raphael, of Hampstead, North-West London, denies liability.
He said strangers who attended a party at his home sneaked off to a spare bedroom to create the fake profile on his computer last June.
But Miss Skinner said his case was 'simply not tenable' and claimed he was a 'self-confessed Facebook enthusiast'.
Her client believes that Mr Raphael 'has borne a grudge since they fell out in 2000'.
She added: 'The defendant knew all the information in the profiles, and only a very limited number of people would.'
Miss Skinner said: 'Mr Firsht values his privacy highly. It was the gross invasion of his privacy, namely having his personal details, including false details concerning his sexuality, laid bare for all to see that caused him the most distress.'
Mr Firsht's company Applause Store Productions finds audiences for TV and radio shows, and provides warm-up services for live shows including Big Brother.
Facebook became a world-wide phenomenon in 2006 and is the seventh most popular site on the internet.
Last month, it attracted 129.3million visitors.
MPs have raised concerns that it could fuel bullying by allowing insults to be traded anonymously.
Some members said they have received hate mail and death threats.
Others reported being sent insults and comments about their weight, looks and sex lives.
The case continues.
Reader views (14)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I wish someone would tell lies about me so I can sue them!
- Joe, USA
This is rather serious libel. To those of you who think it's no big deal, what if it kept you from getting a job, particularly when the information was all false? Many employers (in case you didn't know, here's a clue) search these sites when considering potential applicants. His business was also libelled, even more serious. I hope he takes his ex-friend to the cleaners -- good luck, as John said, to be nailed for his defamation.
- K, USA, Earth
Ha ha ha,
I know both these people and know what I believe but will refrain from making a comment until after it all finishes.
Interesting though.
- Anon, London
This is what you get when you put your stuff on the internet.
As far as I'm concern everybody should sue each other just because they have their profile exposed to the whole world... here's your 15 minutes of glory!
- Bob, Bamberg Germany
Its a legit case. It's not a matter if the business owner could block that site from his own account its the fact that it was made to publicly harm the man and his business to people that didn't know the site was a fraud.
- Shiloh, Graham WA USA
It is the unintended consequences of a good thing that frequently brings it down in the end. Those who abuse the privilege of using the internet and it's web sites are usually the reason for the development of draconian laws limiting the availability of the service. Anonymous entries by idiots hiding shamelessly behind their keyboards will be the eventual downfall of the public part of the internet.
- Russ, Pasco USA
Down with the internet! Just kidding, sort of. There have been and probably always will be abuses that you can't police. Mr. Firsht was lucky they caught this guy.
- Jim Thompson, Fort Worth, Texas
There's nothing wrong with being gay, so suing accomplishes nothing other than proving he is a hateful, homophobic bigot.
- Jake, Sydney, Australia
Oh For Gosh Sake!
Its only an option! You can block a person anytime you like!
It's not like you are forced to read or listen to them!
- E. Domingo, Asheville, NC
Wow, I wonder whats next? How about liable suite for thinking that someone is thinking bad, improper, impure, obscene thoughts about you? That would be smashing. Gosh! is the world really turning that stupid?
- Cris, London
This trash will always come back and bite you, you know where!
- Susan Smith, Largo FL USA
Well Mr. Frisht nice job of keeping your personal life private now. The info was up for 16 days, give me a break and throw this case out of court and save the good taxpayers across the pond from having to foot this bill. Mr. Raphael should lose his account with facebook and be done with this.
- Steve, West Chester, PA, USA
It's about time that we make laws of people using anon status to destroy others. It is wrong and we must punish those who do this and severely. Get a life!
- Feathara, USA
Nail that SOB! It's hard enough with the identity people already have! They should throw the fake liars in jail!
- John, YSA
