The Online Safety Commission (OSC) has issued a strong reminder to the public about the dangers of sharing private messages and personal information on social media without consent.
In a statement released yesterday, OSC expressed concern over a recent surge in posts disclosing private communications online, saying such behaviour can cause “humiliation, emotional distress, and wider harm to families and communities.”
“Not every post may meet the legal threshold for cyberbullying under the Online Safety Act 2018,” said the statement.
“But we must never forget that behind every post is a real person, with a family, a vanua and they deserve our compassion.”
The Commission highlighted that while online platforms may seem like open forums, they are not exempt from ethical standards or legal consequences.
“Sharing another person’s private information without consent can cause lasting harm.”
The OSC is urging Fijians to embrace digital values grounded in veirokorokovi (respect), veidokai (dignity), and veilomani (care for one another), especially when posting or commenting online.
“Privacy, dignity, and respect must guide how we engage online. We encourage anyone affected by harmful online behaviour to come forward and lodge a complaint with the Commission.”