Legal Guidelines to Target Internet Trolls

People who harass or humiliate others online could face prosecution in England and Wales.

20:04 11 October 2016

Internet trolls who create derogatory hashtags or doctored images to humiliate others as well as those who harass other online users could face prosecution in England and Wales. The director of public prosecutions said that under the new guidelines, the new Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could prosecute just as if offences took place offline.

 

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."

 

Ms Saunders admits that the 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".

 

However, Kevin Healey, who has been harassed online, said that the new guidance only “looks good on paper” but probably won’t work “in reality.”

 

He said: "Not even one troll has been prosecuted or jailed, even though I have made complaints to Twitter and the police.

 

"It's been a nightmare; it's been horrific - it doesn't go away. It's with you 24 hours and seven days a week, there's no escape from it".