[Denver]

http://www.digitalspy.com/tech/inter...minal-offence/

​Internet trolls be warned - creating a fake social media profile or website for the sole purpose of humiliating, offending, alarming or attacking somebody's reputation can now be treated as a criminal offence in the UK.

That's in accordance with updated Social Media Guidelines from the Crown Prosecution Service, which will help bring online abusers to justice.

Offences including revenge porn, cyberbullying and threats of violence have always been crimes in Britain, but the updated guidelines have added other offences to the list, including blackmail and grooming.

The area covering violence against women and girls has been expanded into its own section, while "controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship" - ie, the digital version of domestic abuse - is another new addition.

Alison Saunders, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: "Online communication is developing at such a fast pace, new ways of targeting and abusing individuals online are constantly emerging. We are seeing more and more cases where social media is being used as a method to facilitate both existing and new offences.

"It is vital that prosecutors consider the bigger picture when looking at evidence and examine both the online and offline behaviour pattern of the defendant. Online abuse is cowardly and can be deeply upsetting to the victim.

The new guidelines are effective immediately, but subject to change after a 10-week open consultation.

There's a growing awareness of cyber offences in the UK, with lawmakers deeming revenge porn a specific crime last year and the maximum prison sentence for internet trolls being bumped up to two years.

Social networks are also attempting to tackle trolls at their end. Last month, Twitter set up the Trust and Safety Council to help make the service more accommodating for everyone.

[Kizzy]

Not before time, having been a victim myself I know how upsetting it is.

[Cherie]

We will miss you LT

[T*]

Good.

[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Cherie

We will miss you LT

[Ross.]

Originally Posted by Cherie

We will miss you LT

[Vanessa]

This happens a lot on facebook.

[reece(:]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

This happens a lot on facebook.

Yess, my mum has thought she's been friends with Russell Brand a good few year now.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by reece(:

Yess, my mum has thought she's been friends with Russell Brand a good few year now.

It's impossible to know if people are real or not.

[Ashley.]

I'm seriously shocked that it's become so bad that they've created and updated laws just to stop it from getting out of control... Have these "trolls" nothing better to do with their time? It actually embarrasses me.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Cherie

We will miss you LT

I dont use social media

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

I dont use social media

Spoiler:

Spoiler:

You don't use facebook?

[Shaun]

TiBB's impact?

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Ashley.

I'm seriously shocked that it's become so bad that they've created a law just to stop it from getting out of control... Have these "trolls" nothing better to do with their time? It actually embarrasses me.

Twitter is even worse.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Twitter is even worse.

Twitter will be closed down and One Directions followers will be around 100k

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Shaun

TiBB's impact?

Let's see how many still create fake profiles

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Adam.

Twitter will be closed down and One Directions followers will be around 100k

I hardly even go there anymore. It's that bad

[billy123]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

I dont use social media

You are more of an Antisocial media type of guy

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

You don't use facebook?

no


well that is a lie I am a member of local group that updates people on road conditions, a big thing round here as many of our roads are abvove 1000 feet and i post weather info

The group is about 800 and i am the only member it seems with no profile picture

i dont use facebook at all personally and just use my registration to look at things like this and business pages

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Not before time, having been a victim myself I know how upsetting it is.

Me too Kizzy,it's not nice is it? about time it was stopped.

[Mystic Mock]

Why arrest people for pretending to be Celebrities though? I mean it's a desperate act sure, but if people can't tell the difference between the real deal and a fake then I'm really concerned for the Human Race.

Cyberbullying and threats of violence however I'm fine with being made illegal to do on the Internet.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

Me too Kizzy,it's not nice is it? about time it was stopped.

You have to be very careful on facebook and twitter. You just never know who you're dealing with, unless you know them personally.

[LeatherTrumpet]

i blame the parents

[Denver]

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/late...paedo-namesake

Perfect example of innocent people being abused on twitter

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Adam.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/late...paedo-namesake

Perfect example of innocent people being abused on twitter

well he is not being abused personally, adam johnsone is