Online Harassment Of Citizens And Employees
1. What is Online Harassment?
Online harassment (sometimes called cyber harassment or cyberbullying) refers to repeated, threatening, or abusive behavior directed at someone through digital platforms such as social media, emails, messaging apps, or company networks.
Common forms include:
Cyberstalking – Repeatedly following, monitoring, or threatening someone online.
DoXXing – Publishing private personal information to intimidate or harm.
Trolling or abusive messaging – Sending threats, insults, or offensive content.
Workplace harassment – Targeting employees online, often connected to workplace conflicts or whistleblowing.
Identity-based harassment – Based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Consequences:
Psychological distress, anxiety, or depression.
Disruption of personal or professional life.
Potential physical danger if harassment escalates.
Legal consequences for perpetrators under national laws.
2. Notable Online Harassment Cases with Legal Outcomes
Here are six detailed cases of online harassment involving citizens and employees:
Case 1: España v. Anonymous Harassment Group (2018)
Incident:
A Spanish citizen was targeted by an anonymous group online that published personal data, false accusations, and threats via social media and blogs.
This included repeated emails and messages designed to intimidate the victim.
Impact:
Victim experienced anxiety and was forced to leave work temporarily.
Legal Outcome:
Spanish courts prosecuted under Article 172 bis of the Penal Code (harassment or stalking).
The perpetrators were sentenced to fines and suspended prison sentences.
Case highlighted that even anonymous online harassment is punishable.
Case 2: Workplace Cyberbullying in Madrid Bank (2019)
Incident:
An employee reported receiving threatening and humiliating messages from colleagues via WhatsApp and corporate emails.
The harassment included threats of job loss, insults, and distribution of private images.
Impact:
Employee suffered mental distress and requested a transfer.
Company faced reputational risk for failing to address the harassment.
Legal Outcome:
The labor court held the employer partially responsible for not preventing cyberbullying.
Perpetrators faced fines and disciplinary actions.
Established that employers have a duty to protect employees from online harassment.
Case 3: Online Harassment of Politician in Barcelona (2020)
Incident:
A local politician in Barcelona was targeted by coordinated harassment campaigns on Twitter and Facebook, including death threats and doxxing.
Impact:
Threats disrupted official duties and caused fear for personal safety.
Legal Outcome:
Spanish courts prosecuted under Articles 169 and 171 (threats and coercion) of the Penal Code.
Courts emphasized that online threats are equivalent to offline threats legally.
Perpetrators received prison sentences and restraining orders.
Case 4: Cyberstalking of a Journalist in Valencia (2017)
Incident:
A journalist investigating organized crime received repeated threatening emails, social media harassment, and attempts to hack her accounts.
Impact:
Victim was forced to take temporary leave and increase personal security.
Legal Outcome:
Courts convicted the harasser under Article 172 bis (stalking) and Article 197 (privacy violation).
This case highlighted journalists as high-risk targets for online harassment.
Case 5: Online Abuse of Retail Employees During COVID-19 (2020–2021)
Incident:
Retail employees, particularly cashiers, received threats, insults, and harassment through social media from customers frustrated by mask and social distancing rules.
Impact:
Employees experienced anxiety, absenteeism, and high turnover.
Legal Outcome:
Spanish labor courts ruled that companies must protect employees from online harassment by customers.
Harassers were prosecuted for insults, threats, and coercion under Penal Code Articles 171 and 173.
Case 6: Cyber Harassment of Students in Seville (2016)
Incident:
Several students were bullied via WhatsApp groups, receiving insults, humiliating photos, and threats of physical harm.
Impact:
Victims suffered depression and were temporarily homeschooled for safety.
Legal Outcome:
Courts convicted perpetrators under Article 172 bis (harassment of minors online).
Parents of the offenders were also held civilly liable for failure to supervise.
Case strengthened Spain’s legal framework for protecting minors from online harassment.
3. Key Legal Themes in Online Harassment Cases
From these cases, several key legal themes emerge in Spain:
Criminal liability for online harassment:
Articles 172 bis (harassment), 169–171 (threats), and 197 (privacy violation) apply.
Employer responsibility:
Employers are liable if they fail to protect employees from harassment online, even from colleagues or customers.
Protection of vulnerable groups:
Minors, journalists, and public officials receive special attention in Spanish law.
Cross-platform accountability:
Social media and messaging platforms may be required to cooperate with authorities for evidence.
Civil remedies:
Victims can seek injunctions, restraining orders, and compensation for mental distress.
✅ Conclusion
Online harassment in Spain affects both citizens and employees, causing psychological, social, and professional harm. Cases like:
Anonymous harassment of citizens,
Workplace cyberbullying,
Threats to politicians and journalists,
COVID-19-related employee abuse, and
Cyberbullying of students
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