Some Canadians are finding themselves demeaned and bullied on a popular U.S.-based website, and worse still, they may have little legal recourse to defend themselves.
The website is called TheDirty.com, which allows users to anonymously gossip about someone, using that person's real name and usually accompanied by unflattering photos.
Halifax resident Brynn Latta told CTV Atlantic last week that someone posted malicious pictures and comments about her and her family on the website.
"They can say whatever they want and they'll post it no matter what it is or how bad it is," Latta said. "It's disgusting to … ever have to read something like that about yourself."
Latta said commenters made fun of her weight.
Wayne MacKay, the chair of Nova Scotia's Cyberbully Task Force, was outraged to learn of the popular website. The website's creator has claimed it receives about 15 million hits a month.
"Bullying on the playground and in the schoolyard normally ended at least when school ended and you moved on with your life," MacKay told CTV Atlantic. "But in the world of cyberbullying, it can go on forever."
MacKay, who is also a law professor at Dalhousie University, said the website is probably not criminal, but a victim could sue for libel and defamation of character.
However, considering many of the site's victims are in their early 20s, it's unlikely that many can afford the time or money to start a lawsuit.
Lawyers for the site have argued that under U.S. laws, website providers are not responsible for any libel their users post.
TheDirty.com currently has at least one lawsuit against it going through the U.S. court system.
Latta said she emailed the website to take down the postings about her and received an email back, saying the request would be considered within 72 hours.
Weeks later, the posting is still up.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
