Ontario Court Opens Door to Influencer Liability for Online Mobs

An Ontario court has granted an injunction against a social media influencer with more than 100,000 followers after she allegedly mobilized her audience against a Toronto employment lawyer.

The campaign resulted in fake reviews, threatening messages and antisemitic abuse targeting the lawyer's perceived Jewish and Israeli identity — including disturbing attention directed toward an Israeli flag pictured near photos of her children.

In Miller v. Ahn, the court treated the influencer's mobilization of her audience, approval of the attacks and refusal to stop them as part of her own conduct.

The ruling could have major implications for influencers who “weaponize” large online audiences against individuals.

The decision is an interim ruling, not a final judgment.