Futurelawyer

Goodbye Google+ - It Was Nice To Know Ya

How to Delete Your Google Account | Digital Trends. I loved Google+. Google+ was a friend of mine. I read posts every day from people from all walks of life who shared my interests in gadgets, smartwatches, parrots, and other stuff. Sure, I had to plow through spam and other undesirable things; but, hey, that's life and the Internet. Now, the second big data breach in a couple of months means I will have to fend off more of the same. So, instead of waiting until next year when the lights get turned off, I will be transferring my energies and posts to MeWe, and hope to find as many of my Google+ friends there. Say goodbye. Turn the lights out when you leave.

You Have The Right Not To Text - Anything You Say In A Text May Be Used Against You

How a Text Message Can Be Used as Evidence in Court. Texting, emails, Wifi calling...all are becoming part of the way we communicate with each other. Is it a surprise that lawyers want to use these records of human discourse as evidence in Court? This Florida Family Law attorney has a good description of the use of texting in Florida litigation, and the relevance, hearsay, and proof of identity issues that can come up. Suspect your spouse of cheating? Check their texts. Of course, you will have to be able to prove the texts are from the person they purport to be, in order to avoid the hearsay exception. And, you will have to have it preserved in a way that authenticates it. And, you will need a human witness who was either a part of the conversation, or was present contemporaneously to verify it. Legal tip: if you are going to say something in a text that you don't want someone else to know about, use an encrypted messaging app, like WhisperSystem's Signal.

Facebook Allows You To Memorialize Your Loved Ones

One of the reasons I am loyal to Facebook, with all of its warts and defects, is that it became a history of my relationship with SWMBO, and a repository of photographs and messages. I still get pleasure out of reading some of the love messages she posted, and the memories flow with the tears. However, one of the best features of Facebook is the ability to memorialize a deceased loved one's posts, photos, and life. I did that with Jacquelyn's page, and it will remain a repository of her life for anyone who is interested. This is a great message for those of you who still have your loved ones with you. Use Facebook to create a chronicle of your love and friendship. When you lose them, or when you go, it will become a valuable resource. Now, go hug your spouse, while you still can. jacquelyn.cosentino-georges

Meet Me on MeWe - Google+ Is Dead...Long Live MeWe

Well, Google is apparently no longer going to support Google+, beginning some time next year. The avalanche of Google+ users has begun, and the FutureLawyer is one of them. I have established a beachhead at MeWe, the unfortunately named social media site that, while awkwardly named, has many of the affinity group characteristics that made Google+ the place to find like minded people for any niche. I have established a Legal Technology group at MeWe, and I invite my readers to establish a MeWe account, and meet me there. Google+ is dead. Long live MeWe.

Your Facebook Account Was Hacked. What Do You Do Next?

4 Things to Do Immediately When Your Facebook Account Is Hacked. Okay, you have ignored my advice to set up two factor authentication on your Facebook account. Now, your friends are telling you they are getting phony friend requests from you. You think you have been hacked. What do you do? First, read this article and follow the instructions. Check the logins to your account, and you will know if your account has been accessed by someone else. Then, change your password. If the hacker changed it, try to reset it using the forgot your password link. Once you regain control, set up two factor authentication, which will require a code sent to your smartphone for future access. You are responsible for your own security. Now, go do it.

Danger Selfies - Don't Try This At Home

Risky selfies killed 259 people in 6 years, study says - CNET. Hey, I get it. We all want our photos taken in different places; where we travel, where we eat, when we are having fun, so that we can share the experience with our family and friends. I take a lot of photos dining out, playing with the parrots, traveling with friends, and so forth. However, let's be smart, people. Standing on the edge of a mountain or lava field, holding a phone on a stick to get a photo is not a smart thing. People have died doing it. Just don't. I remember, in the days before smartphones, walking a path at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with a camera, taking photos of the canyon from the trail. I was composing a shot with the trees in the foreground, and got too close to the edge. Thankfully, I looked down at my feet in time, or I would have been at the bottom of the Canyon. So, learn from my stupid mistakes, and be aware of your surroundings. 

Facebook Data Breach - Change Your Password

Facebook breach put data of 50 million users at risk - CNET. It isn't pleasant to wake up to a data breach that affects 50 million people on a website that you probably use every day. But, the Facebook feature allowing users to see their profiles as others see them affects 50 million people. If you have two factor authentication enabled, you have an extra step that will make your data less attractive to hackers; but, change your password anyway. And, if you don't have two factor authentication enabled, do it now. Before breakfast. Before lunch. Before whatever meal you were planning before you read this. Be careful out there.

Never Have So Many Said So Little About So Much

Twitter is great for publishing content that is connected to your profession or work. However, spewing private rants has been damaging to both the Twitter user and others. It can destroy careers. Be careful out there.

Would You Buy A Used Car From This Man?

Facebook is putting autoplaying video ads in Messenger %u2014 Quartz. Facebook has had some difficult times lately with credibility and issues with consumers. However, it is the intentional acts designed to maximize its profits that may prove even more problematic. Now, Facebook says it will be putting auto-playing video ads in Messenger. So, when you are having a heart to heart chat with someone about the death of a family member, could a coffin commercial automatically start playing? I would hope that Facebook will police the ads, and will offer consumers an opt out. But, I fear that the initial test subjects will only be able to silence one commercial at a time. The company says that its top priority is user experience. Balderdash. Its top priority is making money. And, unless consumers resoundingly reject these intrusions, Facebook may find that other messaging services will gain ground. We shall see. 

Location History - Do You Know Where You've Been?

How to View and Delete Your Location History on Facebook. How often do you access Facebook every day? Are you aware that you are creating a diary of every single place you have been? Facebook location history is a gold mine for a lawyer seeking to track the travels of a potential or actual party to litigation. I know. You are saying: "I don't care who knows where I go". "I am innocent". However, your location tells a lot about you; and, there are some things that should remain private; or, that could be misconstrued. This post will tell you how to delete your history. And, for my lawyer readers, since most people wont' read this post, this post will tell you how to discover the location history of the parties in your litigation.