Technology
has historically outpaced the law. The prevalence of social media throughout
society indicates an inherent ability to transition methods of Service of Process
in the near future. Given social media’s rapid technological advances in other
fields, perhaps it will find its place within the framework of the legal
system. There are already precedents being set.
After defendant
Gökhan Örün, who is allegedly located in Turkey could not be located and served
personally or by letter, the plaintiff, WhosHere,
offered to serve process on Örün by email and through the social networking
sites, Facebook and LinkedIn. On February 20th, 2014, U.S.
Magistrate Judge Thomas Rawles Jones, Jr. (Eastern District of Virginia)
authorized a first-ever Service
of Process by social media. Judge Jones held that, since Turkey “has not
specifically objected to service by email or social media networking sites
which are not explicitly listed as means of service,” under Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure 4(f)(3) email, Facebook, and LinkedIn were reasonable methods of
delivering the summons and complaint.
