Is it illegal to post someones license plate online?

Strider590

davidlizard wrote: »

Can depend on the context - for example it could be either harassment or defamation.

A company I was working for sent a email around to all staff about the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving, showing a smashed up car in a ditch - the number plate was clearly in view. The driver, who by chance was known to an employee, was forwarded this email, complained and received some compensation - it did not go to court - as by all account she lost control on spilt diesel and was not using the phone.

Yeah, but surely that's just a case of idle gossip.... If someone is seen to be using their phone a lot, it's not long before people make daft assumptions.

mattyprice4004

fivetide wrote: »

You car on barryboys or something? hah.

As above though, it's public, not much that can be done. That's why generally on cop shows they don't blank out plates of passing cars for example.

5t.

I hope it is, that site is brilliant.

LincolnshireYokel

There was a famous test case of libel in the 1950's involving a similar principle

A Golf club had an illegal unlicenced Fruit Machine, which the members used. Someone reported its illegal use to the Police, and it was confiscated, much to the annoyance of several club members.

A poem was stuck up on the notice board unsubtly pointing the finger at a certain member A as being the one who grass ed the club up.

A sued the Golf Club for defamation, and lost, as it was ruled that reporting a crime to the police was not a dishonorable act, and therefore being pointed out in public that it was you who reported a crime did not lower your standing amongst right thinking member of society, which is one of the tests of defamation.

Hadrian

Can anyone explain to me why, on TV, they blank out vehicle number plates? Plates are on cars as a recognition feature to 'identify' a particular vehicle. If I deliberately obscured, even part, of my number plate I'd be guilty of an offence. How do TV companies get away with what is a blatant disregard of the law, no else?

George_Michael

Plates are on cars as a recognition feature to 'identify' a particular vehicle

They are a recognition feature to enable other road users and relevant authorities to identify the vehicle.

There is no legal requirement for any TV program to show number plates of vehicles.

stoatwblr

wealdroam wrote: »

Of course you wouldn't have a problem if everything you said was true.
It would be helpful to be able to prove that though.

Believe it or not, truth is _not_ an absolute defence against such claims, even when provable.

tykesi

Not entirely sure why you felt the need to drag up a two year old thread to tell us that?

stoatwblr

davidlizard wrote: »

A company I was working for sent a email around to all staff about the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving, showing a smashed up car in a ditch - the number plate was clearly in view. The driver, who by chance was known to an employee, was forwarded this email, complained and received some compensation - it did not go to court - as by all account she lost control on spilt diesel and was not using the phone.

That's a clear case of defamation though. The driver was accused of driving while on a phone when she wasn't. I know of a similar case where a wreck was used as part of a drink driving campaign - the problem being that it had actually been parked on a road verge which collapsed and rolled it down a hill. The owner collected substantial damages from the outfit concerned after several people recognised the vehicle and hranagued her about drunk driving.

forgotmyname

Still a 2 year old thread. Were you bored?

arcon5

I know its a 2 year old thread but it's still not been said..

People change cars - usually sell and car and buy a new one and majority of cases take on a new number plate.
So you say post videos of a bad driver across the internet -- you are not just punishing the bad driver but also every owner of that car in the future. Especially in an age where many employers reference staff using the internet and social media etc.

There are millions of videos and articles with titles like 'NL54 QWE - driver nearly kills cyclist' - a lot of emphasis on the number plate. So whoever posts titles like this is also missing a few brain cells!