Lately, there have been many discussions on the legal perspective surrounding the protection of the identity of a character named Martha in the Netflix series "Baby Reindeer."
However, a privacy lawyer suggested that certain scenes should have been removed to protect Martha's real-life identity.
The drama series revolves around the complex relationship between a man named Donny Dunn and his stalker, Martha.
Although the names and faces were changed for the show, viewers quickly searched for the real-life person behind the character.
Richard Gadd's character, Donny Dunn, tried to handle his interactions with Martha. Donny felt sympathy for Martha when she entered the pub where he was employed, unable to afford a simple cup of tea.
As the show went on, Martha became more and more obsessed with Donny, which made things complicated for him. He had to find a way to manage their relationship while also dealing with other important problems in his life.
After numerous investigations from viewers, a woman came forward claiming to be the inspiration for Martha. She even appeared in an interview with Piers Morgan to discuss her connection to the series.
Addressing the issue of protecting Martha's identity, Rory Lynch, a lawyer specializing in defamation and privacy, points out details that could reveal her true identity.
One such detail is the Scottish accent used by actress Jessica Gunning, as the woman who inspired Martha was also from Scotland.
Lynch suggests that altering the gender of the character could have further concealed Martha's identity and reduced the risk of identification.
Another aspect that Lynch highlights is Martha's occupation as a high-flying lawyer in London.
The job Martha claimed to have in the series matches the occupation of the woman who inspired her character.
According to Lynch, making minor changes, such as setting the story in a library in Manchester instead, could have further safeguarded Martha's true identity.
Adjusting these smaller details would have provided an extra level of protection for her.
In response to the criticism surrounding the protection of identities in the series, Benjamin King, Netflix's Senior Director of Public Policy in the UK and Ireland, has issued a statement.
He defended the company's approach by stating that they took reasonable precautions to disguise the real-life identities of those involved.
King emphasized the importance of maintaining the authenticity of Richard Gadd's story, the creator of "Baby Reindeer," while balancing the need for anonymity.
