An eighteen year old from Southern Carinthia region of Australia is claiming that since 2009 her parents have made her life a misery by constantly posting photos of her, including embarrassing and intimate images from her childhood.
Her lawyer Michael Rami states that to date, her parents have posted 500 images of her on the social media site without her consent, and he believes she has a good chance of winning in court.
The shared images include baby pictures of her having her nappy changed and later potty training pictures.
“They knew no shame and no limit and didn’t care whether it was a picture of me sitting on the toilet or lying naked in my cot – every stage was photographed and then made public,” the 18-year-old said.
The photos were shared on Facebook with her parents’ 700 friends.
Despite her requests, they have refused to delete the photos, prompting her to sue them.
I’m tired of not being taken seriously by my parents”, she said.
Her father believes that since he took the photos he has the right to publish the images. Her lawyer says that if it can be proven that the images have violated her rights to a personal life, then her parents may lose the case.
This is the first case of its kind in Austria, but he says that based on similar cases abroad, the girl’s parents may have to pay some financial compensation for her pain and suffering, and will also be liable for her legal costs.
The case will be heard in November and if the parents lose this could have repercussions for Austrians who post countless images of their children on social media without their consent.
