A South African couple was ordered to pay millions in civil damages for distributing a s3x video on a fake Facebook profile.
The profile, created by a ghost account, contained expl!c!t content featuring the man’s ex-girlfriend, which was shared with her friends, family, and colleagues.
On August 15, the man threatened to disseminate the videos further unless she complied with his demands.
Feeling humiliated and tr@umatized, the woman deactivated the account after learning about the posts and subsequently sued both the man and his wife for !nfr!nging upon her dignity and privacy.
The court found the couple’s actions to be deliberately humiliating, severely impacting her m3ntal health and leading to medical treatment requirements for her emotional distress.
Judge Shanaaz Mia highlighted the extent of the trauma, noting that the woman faced significant emotional challenges, including suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety that resulted in alopecia.
The husband had recorded the videos without her cons3nt, v!olating her right to privacy and dignity.
The couple also made defamatory statements about her on social media, further damaging her reputation.
The judge emphasized the seriousness of these acts, which not only constitute a violation of international laws against “revenge p_0rn” but also indicate a broader failure to respect personal dignity.
The court awarded the woman R2,500,000 in compensation, underscoring the need for accountability and recognition of the h@rm caused by such !nvas!ve actions.
