Outing Ex-Offenders On Social Media

[barry1010]

Another thread has raised this question. Is it illegal to name an ex-offender with details of his crimes on social media or any other channel?

[woofgang]

I don’t think it is per se but if you incite harassment or violence then I think its covered by existing law especially if you name the wrong person! Of course it also depends how you get the information which may be covered by data protection

[Canary42]

Not a criminal offence, but vulnerable to civil prosecution.

[barry1010]

That's as I thought, thanks both.

[THECORBYLOON]

Under Section 8 of the 1974 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, libel action can be taken if a "spent" conviction is revealed and it was done so with malice.

[barry1010]

Thank you, Corby. That is an expensive option, probably far too expensive for the average person.