Internet trolls could face prosecution
Internet trolls who create derogatory hashtags or post doctored images to humiliate others could face prosecution in England and Wales.
Inciting people to harass others online, known as virtual mobbing, could also result in court action, under new Crown Prosecution Service guidance.
The director of public prosecutions said it means they will prosecute “in the same way” as if it were offline.
But she stressed this did not mean prosecutors could “stifle free speech”.
The new rules aim to help police identify online crimes more easily.
It also highlights those who post people’s personal information, such as bank details – known as doxxing.
‘Think about conduct’
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said: “The internet’s not an anonymous place where people can post without any consequences. People should think about their own conduct.
“If you are grossly abusive to people, if you are bullying or harassing people online, then we will prosecute in the same way as if you did it offline.”
However, Ms Saunders said context will be an important factor in decisions – for example “if you’re offensive, the legislation would say you have to be grossly offensive, and that’s quite a high test”.
‘Sexting’ ruling
The CPS says it will use “considerable caution” before charging those posting “grossly offensive” material.
The changes come after a report found that one in four teenagers is abused online over their sexual orientation, race, religion, gender or disability.
The CPS also said underage “sexting” between consenting children in a relationship should not be prosecuted, but cases which involve “exploitation, grooming or bullying” may lead to legal action.
Ms Saunders told the BBC: “If they are children, they are the same age, there’s no suggestion or any coercion or bad motives, then we would not expect that case to be prosecuted. It shows you how careful you have to be about the context of it,” she said.
Asked about whether guidelines on misogynistic hate crimes would be introduced, Ms Saunders said: “We probably need to think about it.”
A new law on revenge porn – someone uploading explicit images or film of a former partner to humiliate or embarrass them – has led to the prosecution of 206 people across England and Wales since its introduction in April 2015.
The new guidelines will be subject to public consultation for 13 weeks.
Source: BBC
