Online Vigilantes Targeting Anonymity of Rape Case Plaintiff
A Cornell University student who filed an anonymous lawsuit against seven fraternity members for alleged gang rape is facing intense online harassment as vigilantes attempt to uncover her identity. Multiple women, including the real plaintiff and others mistakenly identified, are being targeted with threats on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Substack. These efforts have drawn comparisons to past #MeToo backlash campaigns seen on sites such as Kiwi Farms and 4chan. The harassment began after Substack author Michael Tracey encouraged users to identify the plaintiff, arguing her anonymity was unjustified since she named others in court. The campaign has expanded into mainstream social media with little intervention from platform moderators or law enforcement. Legal experts note that while plaintiffs can seek anonymity in civil cases, it is not guaranteed and depends on judicial discretion. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about privacy for survivors of sexual violence and the role of online platforms in enabling harassment campaigns.
Topics: #MeToo backlash doxxing online harassment social media platforms