The sometimes frustrating thumbs-up emoji response to a text has ignited warning in Australia after a Canadian judge ruled the emoji is just as valid as a signature.
The legal brawl played out after a photo of a contract to buy grain was sent via text, along with a message "Please confirm flax contract" to a supplier.
7News reports the supplier responded with a thumbs-up emoji, but months later they failed to deliver the goods.
Court documents revealed the supplier argued the emoji was used only to confirm he had received the contract and it would be reviewed at a later date, not that he was agreeing to the terms of the contract.
But a Candian judge has disagreed.
The judge said he was satisfied "on the balance of probabilities" the contract had been signed with the use of an emoji and ordered the supplier to pay the buyer US$82,000 (NZD$131,012), along with interest and costs for failing to deliver the flax.
Australian employment law expert Andrew Rich told 7News the decision could have "persuasive value in Australian courts" and warned there is "nothing stopping a judge citing this decision" in Australia.
"An Australian court can consider this legal decision when making a ruling. It can be thought of as a suggestion or advice from another court," said Rich.
"While it isn't a binding precedent, the law is increasingly modernising to accurately reflect the realities of our day-to-day lives."
Rich told 7News there are common scenarios similar to the Canadian case which could catch Aussies out.
