The Rise of Tortious Liability for Internet Vigilantes in China: "Human Flesh Search Engine"

In China, the Tort Liability Law passed in late Dec 09 gives citizens the right to sue for infringment of their privacy (yes there are legal privacy protections in China contrary to other media reports). The law is a result of the building tension created by the use of the Internet and China's attempts to maintain control over the population. The "Human Flesh Search Engine" is the phenomenon of ordinary citizens turning to the Internet to identify criminals and officials guilty of corruption or other misconduct, and to publicize them to the detriment of the targeted individuals i.e. Internet vigilantism. This can be used not only by individuals but officials may also use similar tactics. http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/01/28/stanley-lubman-will-an-expanded-right-of-privacy-deter-chinas-internet-vigilantes/