The Daily A Vast Web of Vengeance
Apr 6, 2021
Kashmir Hill, a technology reporter for The New York Times known for her insights into online privacy, dives deep into a family's battle against relentless online defamation. She reveals how a single grudge can unleash a torrent of false accusations, impacting innocent lives. The discussion includes the complexities of navigating legal challenges, the emotional toll on victims, and the broader implications of rising online harassment. With a poignant mix of personal stories and investigative grit, the conversation uncovers the harsh realities of reputation management in the digital age.
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Family Targeted by Online Smear Campaign
- Luke Grolo discovered defamatory online posts about his family, including his 17-year-old son.
- The posts falsely accused them of scams and pedophilia, causing distress, especially concerning his son's future.
Low-Rent, High-Ranking Websites
- The defamatory posts appeared on low-rent websites like Ripoff Report, Cheater Board, and Dating Complaints.
- These sites, while obscure, rank highly in search results, maximizing the damage to reputations.
Section 230's Unintended Consequences
- Section 230 protects websites from liability for user-generated content.
- This law, while intended for platforms like Facebook, shields defamatory sites from accountability.