Most of us use popular social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter for staying in touch with friends and meeting new people, but have you ever heard of someone using one of these sites to free someone from jail?

That’s exactly what happened here.  A photographer, James Karl Buck, and his translator, Mohammed Maree, were jailed in Egypt back in April.  Buck used his cell phone to post the message “Arrested” on Twitter.  Within a day, his school hired an attourney, and Buck was released. However, his translator was detained for an additional 3 months.  Buck again went to his Twitter network, now with over 570 followers, for help in getting his translator freed.  Over 900 signed an online petition which was used to free Maree.

Whoever thought the power of Web 2.0 could have an impact like this? Web 2.0 enables people to get the word out about a certain issue or topic that needs exposure.  My colleague Komail Mithani wrote an entry earlier this week on how Web 2.0 enables people to have their voices heard in regards to customer service issues.

Freeing people from jail via a social networking site or other Web 2.0 technology may not be something one can expect to increase in occurrence in the future but I do foresee more and more interesting and unique uses of Web 2.0.  What are some ways you’ve used a Web 2.0 technology for a unique purpose or goal?