Legal Question in Technology Law in Texas

Re: Internet Law

A better question is, do you really want to do this?

First, when you label someone a "deadbeat" that label has profound implications for them. Your calling them a deadbeat or placing their information on your website might be considered a violation of their rights to privacy and they might well sue you. In some instances a person does not have sufficient assets to meet their child support obligations because of disability or disease. In that situation even though they may have arrearages, they may not be an intentional "deadbeat" and your classification of them as such would probably be libelous.

Because your web site could be seen in Maine as well as Alaska, you could wind up defending multiple lawsuits in multiple different jurisdictions, and your legal bills would be significant.

Worse, suppose someone sends you information that purports to be accurate, and purports to show that Mr. X is a deadbeat dad. You publish the information, and it turns out you were scammed and that Mr. X is not a deadbeat. You'll be liable for the false statements.

Pictures are especially problematic. While I think your idea is a "feel good" idea, I don't think its a sound idea from a legal perspective, and I urge you to reconsider.