When robots lie a comparison of auto-defamation law

Abstract

Communicating false information that harms the reputation of an individual or entity creates legal liability for the injuries incurred. Defamation is handled very differently, however, in America than overseas, particularly when the offending communication is networked. As a robotic future becomes increasingly present, the way in which legal systems will respond when robots lie presents a pressing social question. This article provides a background of the subject, compares various defamation laws, and lays forth a set of important questions that will need answers and hinge on the design and capability of robotic systems.

Libel by Algorithm? Automated Journalism and the Threat of Legal Liability

“…As a result, news organizations publishing beyond U.S. borders are likely to face even stiffer penalties and greater regulations in situations in which automated journalism violates the law. For example, European countries vary significantly on the degree of fault that public plaintiffs must show to successfully recover damages for libel, with none providing a standard as high as "actual malice" (Ambrose & Ambrose, 2014).…”