Legal Regulation of Civil Liability for Rumor Dissemination on Social Media

Abstract

Rumors play a significant role in shaping the culture of societies, emerging not as foreign phenomena but as products of the social and economic culture of a community. They serve as the foundation for studying and defining the characteristics and identity of any society. Many countries have even established special intelligence units to monitor and analyze rumors, using them to forecast potential events. It would not be an exaggeration to say that rumors have the power to influence the rise and fall of nations. This study emphasizes the importance of rumors, as they are often used by states to safeguard their interests across various fields through individuals. The researcher employs a comparative descriptive-analytical methodology and concludes with several findings, including that compensation for damages caused by electronic communication falls under tort liability due to the absence of a contractual relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. Such damages are often moral in nature. The penalty for such actions is compensating the victim, which may take the form of in-kind or monetary compensation. Courts have the right to consult experts for assessment. Among the recommendations are establishing a monitoring authority for social media to allow the state to mitigate the harmful impacts of rumors on the state and individuals. Additionally, judicial bodies should establish official communication channels with social media platforms to request user information as provided by these platforms.