Six Sisters, 100,000 Yuan Bride Price: AVictory for Online Reputation and the Courage to Fight Back
Guangzhou, China – In a landmark case that highlights the growing issue of online defamation and the importance of digital rights, a group of six young women in Guangzhou have won alawsuit against a social media influencer who falsely accused them of demanding exorbitant bride prices.
The case, which has recently resurfaced in the public eye, began inSeptember 2023 when the women, including a young woman named Xiaoting, shared a photo of their trip to Liuzhou, Guangxi on social media. Unbeknownst to them, a social media influencer with over 300,000 followers, stole their image and fabricated a story claiming they were demanding 100,000 yuan in bride price for each of them.
The influencer’s post quickly went viral, attracting abarrage of hateful comments and spreading misinformation about the women. Despite their repeated requests for the influencer to remove the post and apologize, he refused, instead, doubling down on his false claims and even resorting to personal attacks.
We were baffled by his behavior, Xiaoting told the New Yellow River reporter. Heclaimed to have deleted the post, but he continued to harass us. We felt like we were the ones being harassed.
Determined to reclaim their online reputation and hold the influencer accountable, the women decided to pursue legal action. The process was arduous and fraught with uncertainty. They faced the financial burden of legal fees andpressure from those who urged them to simply let it go.
However, their perseverance paid off. On September 18, 2024, the Guangzhou Internet Court ruled in their favor, finding that the influencer had violated their right to privacy and reputation. The court ordered the influencer to pay 12,000 yuan in damages and issue a public apology.
While we are relieved to have won the case, the influencer has yet to comply with the court’s ruling, Xiaoting said. We have filed for enforcement.
This case serves as a powerful reminder that the internet is not alawless space and that individuals have the right to protect their online reputation. Xiaoting’s message to those who have been victims of online defamation is clear: Don’t be afraid to fight back. You have the right to defend yourself.
The case has sparked widespread discussion about online harassment and the need for strongerlegal protections for victims. It also highlights the importance of responsible social media use and the dangers of spreading misinformation without verifying its accuracy.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, cases like this serve as a crucial reminder of the need for greater awareness and accountability in the online world.
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