Social media winning battles for ‘everyman’, but beware
The balance of power between ‘David’ the consumer and ‘Goliath’ the corporate organisation has shifted
It seems social media has succeeded (again) in delivering justice in an unlikely scenario. In 2018, in reaction to intense online pressure, Momentum overturned a decision to repudiate a life insurance claim based on misrepresentation at policy inception. Last week it was Woolworths’ turn. The retailer capitulated, all but admitting design plagiarism in the case of a “strikingly similar” baby carrier. It appears Woolworths, inspired by the design of a local entrepreneur, proceeded to manufacture and sell a similar product at a third of the price. The retailer (which ironically prides itself on its ethical practices) ignored the owner and designer’s objections until an outcry on social media resulted in an embarrassing about-turn. In both cases society is celebrating an improbable victory of the wronged and powerless David over a hubristic Goliath. More importantly, society celebrates a shift in power between the vulnerable everyman on one side, and ruthless corporations on the other....
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