On weekends, I often post “viral” videos combined with a B2B blog. Maybe cliché, but I enjoy it and it usually works.
Last week, I got it wrong. And I learned a lot from it.
I posted an old video, more than 10 years old, of someone who unintentionally went viral as “humor,” alongside a blog about being selective with clients in B2B. The blog was correct in terms of content. But the video completely missed the mark. It was unrequested and hurtful to the person involved.
I quickly received messages pointing out that I was showing this person recognizably, and that it was not okay. The video has been online for years. But that does not justify anything. On the contrary.
I was naive. I genuinely did not consider the impact this could have on someone being confronted with it again.
I received advice from a lawyer, on a personal basis, to anonymize the video. In the context of knowledge sharing and journalistic freedom, I decided to repost the blog and anonymize the video. This was done in consultation and with approval.
I thought it was properly resolved.
But it was not.
Even anonymized, the video still had a significant impact on this person. Everyone knows the fragment. And that is exactly the problem. I received another message advising me to delete it. Because I had brought it back to life.
And that is completely fair.
I truly appreciate the people who gave me this feedback and protected someone else. 🙏
In my enthusiasm to create content, entertain, and be free in what I share, I forgot the most important part. The human aspect. ❤️
It is not about what is legally allowed. Legally, it would have been fine.
It is about what you simply should not do, especially when someone is still affected by it.
That is what I stand for. Be good to the people around you. There are already enough problems. Let us not cause unnecessary harm to each other.
I acknowledged my mistake and learned from it.
My sincere apologies. 🙇♂️
And a reminder for all of us.
Be mindful of what you share online. What you say. And who it may affect. 🧠
It is not necessary.
We should not do this to each other.
Always think twice before you comment or post. I certainly did with this one. ✅
