网络暴力中个体维权困境与平台安全保障义务

Individual Rights Protection Dilemma and Platform Security Duties for Cyber Violence

网络暴力有其不同于传统民事侵权的特点,容易导致被侵权人面临维权困境。其中,网络匿名性既加剧了网络暴力的发生危险,也让受害人陷于难以追责的境地。网络暴力的整体氛围可以令被侵权人的努力沦为一场“打地鼠游戏”:查明的网暴信息刚被删除,新的网暴信息便纷纷涌入。被侵权人限于时间、精力和经济负担能力,很难对所有网暴者发起维权行动,最终可能仅就其所遭受损害的一小部分获得救济。基于以上特点,尤其需要强调平台对其所开设虚拟交往空间的安全保障义务。通常情况下,平台担负的是“依通知而删除”义务,而在那些平台已经注意到特定信息,并能从中判断侵权的存在或者产生合理怀疑的场合,则应当主动采取处置措施或进行核查。其次,根据发生网络暴力的危险性大小,平台负有采取预防性措施以防止网络暴力发生或蔓延的义务。再次,平台还应当负有为网络用户建立自我防护机制的义务,实现用户对专属空间的支配,更大程度减少网络暴力所带来的伤害。平台防范网络暴力的安全保障义务为合理注意义务,而非结果意义上的保险责任。

Cyber violence has its different characteristics from traditional civil tort,easily causing the infringed party to face the dilemma of rights protection.Online anonymity not only exacerbates the risk of online violence,but also puts victim in a situation where it is difficult to hold the infringer accountable.The overall atmosphere of online violence can involve the infringed party to a“game of whack-a-mole”.As soon as the identified online abuse information is deleted,new online abuse information may pour in.Limited by time,energy,and financial affordability,it is difficult for the infringed person to initiate rights defense actions against all online abusers,and may eventually obtain redress for only a fraction of the damage suffered.It’s thus especially necessary to emphasize that the platforms’safety duties.Usually,platforms have a“notice-delete”duty,but in those situations where the platform has noticed specific information and can judge the existence of infringement or have reasonable doubts from it,platforms should initiatively take measures or conduct verification.Depending on the risk of cyber violence,platforms should have the obligation to take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence or spread of online violence.In addition,platforms should also have the obligation to establish self-protection mechanisms for network users,realize users’domination of exclusive space,and minimize the harm caused by cyber violence.The platform’s duty against cyber violence should be a duty of reasonable care,not an insurance liability in the sense of results.