Top court bans 'human flesh search engines' that brought down corrupt officials

The top judicial body has outlawed "human flesh search engines", a form of internet vigilantism that has brought down many corrupt officials.

Sun Jungong, a spokesman for the Supreme People's Court said on Thursday that the courts would not tolerate such behaviour.

Any user or network service provider using the internet to disclose "personal information, medical records, health records, criminal records, home addresses", and private activities of a personal nature to cause damage to others shall bear judicial liabilities, the court said.

But the court did reveal six scenarios in which the disclosure of information was allowed, including when it was in the public interest, when the content had the written consent of the person whose information was being revealed, and when it was by schools or scientific research institutions for research or statistical purposes.

Due to the unprecedented growth and development of the internet, apps and social media on the mainland, the court has worked for the past two years on legal guidelines to take account of the rapid spread of information.

Human flesh search engines, involving mass collaborations to find and share information on the internet and social media platforms such as Weibo and WeChat, have helped expose officials' extravagance and channel support for people trying to gather evidence of wrongdoing.