TOO many Fijians believe there are no consequences for online bullying, and that mindset needs to change, says Online Safety Commissioner Filipe Batiwale.
Mr Batiwale said this after confirming that the Facebook account operating under the name “Alex VB”, linked to online activist Alexandra Forwood, had been removed from the platform.
While he said the details of complaints received by the Online Safety Commission remained confidential, it is understood the account was removed after continued online allegations.
“Under the Online Safety Act 2018, the commission assess complaints and engaged with online platforms where content or conduct raised concerns under platform community standards or Fiji’s laws,” he said.
However, he said decisions on account removals or restrictions ultimately remained with the respective online platforms under their own policies and enforcement processes.
“In relation to the account referred to in your questions, we can confirm that it is now publicly known that the account operating under the name ‘Alex VB’ has been removed from the platform.
“Too many people believe they can hide behind fake accounts, anonymous profiles, or viral content without accountability.
“That mindset is becoming increasingly dangerous, particularly when online behaviour begins affecting the dignity, wellbeing, safety, and mental health of real people and families.”
Mr Batiwale said the internet was not a shield for abuse and people must understand that online actions could carry real-world consequences.
“The law applies online just as it does offline.”
He said the commission was taking a firm stand against cyberbullying, harmful online conduct and targeted online abuse.
Mr Batiwale also urged complainants to formally lodge complaints and preserve evidence, saying strong evidence was critical in assisting investigations and enforcement action.
He said the commission continued to work with social media platforms, Fiji Police and international law enforcement partners including the FBI in serious cybercrime and online exploitation matters.
‘Abuse no longer isolated issue’
THE Online Safety Commission is seeing more individuals and families in Fiji subjected to sustained online attacks, humiliation and reputational harm.
Commissioner Filipe Batiwale said harmful online conduct and targeted abuse were no longer isolated issues in Fiji, with social media increasingly being used to intimidate, humiliate and cause psychological distress.
“Cruelty should not be normalised simply because it happened online,” Mr Batiwale said.
“This is not about politics or silencing criticism.
“People are entitled to their political views, public commentary, and freedom of expression.
However, freedom of speech should never become freedom to destroy people.”
He said people could disagree politically, socially or personally, but targeted abuse, intimidation, threats, sustained harassment and harmful online conduct should not become part of Fiji’s culture.
“The Online Safety Act 2018, particularly section 24, addresses harmful electronic communications where content is posted with the intention to cause harm to another person.
“Harm may include serious emotional distress, intimidation, harassment, humiliation, or ongoing online abuse.”
Mr Batiwale said the commission continued to work with online platforms, law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders to ensure harmful online conduct was taken seriously and addressed appropriately.
He said Fiji was also part of an evolving global landscape where regulators and digital platforms were strengthening co-operation in response to harmful online behaviour.
“Our culture as Fijians has always been grounded in respect, dignity, and community.
“We should not lose those values the moment we go online.”
Mr Batiwale urged people who believed they were being targeted by harmful online conduct to preserve evidence, report the content to the relevant platform and contact the Commission for assistance and assessment.
