HYBE'S APPEAL TO REVEAL IDENTITY OF X ACCOUNT THAT DEFAMED BTS AND LE SSERAFIM REJECTED BY US COURT

On July 1, 2024, SeoulWire reported that HYBE’s appeal to unmask the identity behind a defamatory Twitter (now X) account, accused of spreading malicious rumours about BTS and LE SSERAFIM, was rejected by the US Court.

HYBE had filed an appeal to the US District Court for the Northern District of California to reveal the person behind the account @guiltyarchive, which had been disseminating false and harmful information about their artists. The account in question allegedly linked LE SSERAFIM to the disbandment of the girl group GFRIEND and insinuated questionable connections between BTS’ debut venue and Danworld.

Judge Vince Chhabria of the US District Court for the Northern District of California denied HYBE’s request despite acknowledging that BTS' agency met all the necessary requirements. The judge expressed concerns over the potential misuse of the US legal system, emphasising that legal investigations should be conducted by law enforcement agencies rather than private parties.

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The court noted that no evidence had been provided to show that the South Korean police department had taken any action on HYBE's defamation complaint. Judge Chhabria indicated that if the South Korean police had requested the identity disclosure, the appeal might have been considered due to the mutual legal assistance treaty between the two countries.

Following the defamatory posts, HYBE filed a defamation complaint against the X account with the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul. However, uncovering the real identity of the account holder proved challenging due to X's headquarters being located in the US. This led HYBE to seek assistance from the US legal system in May 2024, which has now been denied.

The denial by the US Court poses a significant hurdle for HYBE in its efforts to combat defamation against its artists. The ruling underscores the complexities involved in international legal disputes, especially when they involve cross-border jurisdiction issues and the protection of anonymous speech on social media platforms.

HYBE's next steps are uncertain, but the agency may need to explore alternative legal avenues within South Korea or seek further cooperation between South Korean and US authorities to address the defamatory actions against BTS and LE SSERAFIM effectively.

2024-07-01T16:21:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd