False Accusations Over The Internet

[John9]

YouTube recently terminated a channel after I made two copyright claims because the user stole audio from my content without my permission. I then made a video called “the death of (user’s name here)”, as a joke since people knew this was going on for a while. In the video I just showed that the user’s channel was taken down. I then began to recieve messages from the user’s family members, and they told me they contacted YouTube and the police that I made “death threats” and caused defamation of character. They also mentioned that they had taken legal action and hired an attorney, literally over a little situation like this. I even apologized and took down the video I made. It’s been a week now since this happened and so far neither YouTube nor the police have contacted me, so I figure they either just said that to scare me or there’s nothing that can legally be done relating to the law. What worries me is that they falsely accused me, should I be afraid? Could YouTube or the police get me in trouble for this? Thanks for your help.

[jno]

Joking online can be unwise but there’s nothing in your post to suggest you threatened anyone with anything.

Defamation only works if allegations are made to a third party. If it’s just two people calling each other names, and nobody else hears them, then no defamation. As to what if anything they said to YouTube, who knows. But in your place I wouldn’t be worrying about anything.

[woofgang]

what jno said BUT take the lesson. What you did wasn't kind or sensible.

[Peter Pedant]

wait and see
there is nothing else you can do

[kvalidir]

Wait and see I seriously doubt anything will happen if you have been frank and full in what you've told us x