Legal Considerations and Community Standards

In creating a social media platform, there are serval legal issues for consideration, as well as how the FA can apply its community standards. With regard to online anonymity, an important distinction between SoccerNet and other social networks must be made. Anonymity is often cited as a reason for online abuse since users are most often unlikely to meet. Users of SoccerNet, however, are likely to meet on a regular basis to play sport. A level of self-regulation is expected, therefore, through more face-to-face contact than other social networks.

Community Standards

Users of SoccerNet are expected to confirm to the FA’s high values for inclusivity, diversity and respect. Notwithstanding an expectation of higher self-regulation through decreased anonymity, there is still potential for online abuse, which will not be tolerated. Face-to-face abuse is amplified when it continues through online social networks. Users, therefore, will be provided with a means to report online abuse from within the application and a dedicated team with actively monitor content. Prince William, the FA’s President has a strong interest in online abuse through the Royal Foundation’s Task Force. Breaches of the FAs community standards will be handled by policies derived from the FA’s ethics commitee.

Data Protection

The UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), has given control of data back to consumers from data handlers who were adjudged to have been too flippant with privacy concerns. It provides 8 principles to be followed in the handling of data:

• used fairly and lawfully
• used for limited, specifically stated purposes
• used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive
• accurate
• kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
• handled according to people’s data protection rights
• kept safe and secure
• not transferred outside the European Economic Area without adequate protection

In following these principles, GDPR has returned consent to consumers, which was too readily assumed. The manifestation of these principles will be in SoccerNet’s terms and conditions. Many have commented on how consumers treat terms and conditions as a ‘tick box exercise’. Instead of reading a lengthily legal document, they click ‘Agree to comments’ quickly followed by proceed. While this problem is unlikely to be overcome in applying the FAs community standards there is an opportunity at this juncture. Instead of a tick box, users would have to watch a short video about the FAs community standards.

Children Friendly

SoccerNet is also a Platform for children and their parents to track training. According to  The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), and SoccerNet’s purpose is to encourage to think about “safety by design” to help make our community safer for children and young people under 18. What’s more,  children who under 16 will need to use the platform with under guard. Online games are available for under-16s, so there is a legal precedence. Nonetheless, for year one, SoccerNet will only be available to over 16s, however, thorough research will be understaken to understand how under-16s can safely participate an within the rule of law. Given mutual interest, there is the potential to develop pioneering research with the Royal Foundation. Research output will focus particularly on how to manage online abuse in line with SoccerNet’s high community standards and made publically available.

Safe Guard Requirement

Before coach and referee to register with our platform, the Football Association has a complete training and testing system. Before the coaches and referees can apply, they must first pass a criminal record check. After passing this verification, all applicants must subsequently pass a verified course. Certification from both the criminal records check and course completion could be used to verify users on SoccerNet. When compared to other social networks, this extra level of verification provides an extra level of safety.

Term and Conditions

We also have term and condition when users sign up that they need to pay attention and to avoid legal problems.

• Licenses to use content
• AUP
• FAQ
• Warranty / Indemnity from users
• Disclaimer from operator
• Moderation – right but not obligation
• Law and Jurisdiction

References：

Association, T. (2018). The website for the English football association, the Emirates FA Cup and the England football team. [online] www.thefa.com. Available at: http://www.thefa.com/get-involved/referee/general-information [Accessed 28 Apr. 2018].

GOV.UK. (2018). UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-council-for-child-internet-safety-ukccis [Accessed 28 Apr. 2018].

GOV.UK. (2018). Data protection. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].