Practice-based methods of bringing to legal liability for anonymous defamation on the Internet and in the media

Abstract

As of 2024, the need to coordinate generally accepted standards on legal liability for anonymous defamation in the virtual space of the Internet and the media is becoming more relevant in the context of rapid technological development and digital transformation. Therefore, the study aims to identify the most common and effective approaches to bringing liability for the dissemination of false information in the virtual space of the Internet and the media. A variety of scientific and legal methods were used to achieve this goal, in particular comparison, forecasting, generalisation, system analysis, formal legal, formal logical and other methods. The author analyses the controversial aspects related to the protection of individual dignity, honour and commercial reputation of individuals in the context of the Internet, covering the basis for the emergence of legal relations in this area and the practical challenges faced by individuals seeking to protect their rights to dignity and commercial reputation violated by the dissemination of information on the Internet which is considered to be biased or inaccurate. The study shows that most national courts today reject claims aimed at protecting privacy on the Internet and do not recognise the information disseminated through this channel as unreliable, without requiring its refutation. Recommendations that can be implemented in practice to bring individuals to legal liability for false information disseminated anonymously on the Internet and in the media are developed and justified in this study. The author suggests practical ways that can be used to exert legal influence on persons who commit anonymous defamation on the Internet and the media