On August 8, the Beijing Internet Court held a press conference on online violence to report on the trial of cases involving online violence and typical cases.
Sun Mingxi, president of the Juvenile Court of the Beijing Internet Court, reported a typical case at the meeting. Plaintiff Wang and defendant Liu are former work colleagues, the two parties had conflicts at work, out of resentment, defendant Liu cut the sensitive body parts of the plaintiff's life photos and used them as his social platform account avatar, in addition to repeatedly posting indecent and vulgar remarks and @ the plaintiff, publishing obscene words to the plaintiff through platform private messages. The plaintiff, Wang, was overwhelmed and reported the case to the public security organ, and the defendant was administratively detained by the public security organ. The plaintiff argued that the defendant's conduct constituted sexual harassment and violated his right to portrait and reputation, and sued the Beijing Internet Court.
After hearing, the court held that the defendant's insulting and defamatory remarks directed at the plaintiff by posting posts on social platforms and under other people's platform accounts were obviously derogatory, which would lead to a lower evaluation of the plaintiff by the public, and constituted an infringement of the plaintiff's right to reputation. In the end, the court ordered the defendant to apologize to the plaintiff in writing, eliminate the impact, restore his reputation, and compensate the plaintiff for emotional damages.
Sun Mingxi pointed out that the Internet is not a "fig leaf" for lawbreakers, and the dissemination of indecent graphics and text through the Internet to harass others, even if there is no substantial physical contact, may constitute sexual harassment, not only to bear civil and administrative responsibility, but also to be suspected of criminal offenses if the circumstances are serious.
(Li Jiali)
Responsible Editor: [Ge Cheng]