Defamation: Fake TikTok – At O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, we take the integrity and reputation of our team very seriously. Recently, we discovered a fraudulent TikTok account impersonating our Senior Associate, Elliot Rowe. This account, under the username @elliotrowe00, has been posting defamatory and malicious content, falsely presenting it as being from Mr Rowe.
Defamation: Fake TikTok
Please be assured that Mr Rowe has no connection to this account or the offensive material it shares. We are already taking swift action to have this account removed and to identify the individual responsible for this impersonation. We are grateful to the members of our community who have already reported the account, and we encourage others to do the same to assist us in putting an end to this harmful conduct.
Our Defamation Practice: Protecting Reputation and Fighting Back
As a firm with a strong practice in defamation law, we are pursuing all available remedies to address this serious matter. Defamation, whether online or offline, is a serious breach of an individual’s rights. False and harmful statements published to the public can cause lasting damage to personal and professional reputations.
At O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, we are dedicated to standing up for those who are targeted by malicious attacks, whether they come through traditional media or modern digital platforms like TikTok. We are committed to defending Mr Rowe’s reputation, protecting our firm’s integrity, and ensuring accountability for this unacceptable online impersonation.
Read our successful defamation case studies.
Our Experience Fighting Technology-Facilitated Abuse: The Case of Hannah Grundy
Our firm is no stranger to fighting back against online abuse. We proudly represented Hannah Grundy, a Sydney woman whose case highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections against AI-generated image-based abuse.
As reported by the BBC, Ms Grundy was targeted by a former friend, Andrew “Andy” Hayler, who used artificial intelligence to create and distribute non-consensual explicit images of her online. The betrayal was particularly devastating given their decade-long friendship. Despite facing initial setbacks with law enforcement, Hannah, represented by our experienced criminal lawyer Sidnie Sarang, relentlessly pursued justice.
Her efforts led to Hayler’s conviction and a nine-year prison sentence for offenses against 26 women over two years. This groundbreaking case brought national and international attention to the dangers of AI misuse and the emotional toll on victims.
The Broader Legal Response to AI Abuse
Hannah Grundy’s case has become a catalyst for broader legal reform. In response to the growing threat of AI-generated abuse, Australian lawmakers introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024, creating serious penalties for distributing explicit deepfake content without consent.
Internationally, measures like the EU’s AI Act and local frameworks such as the NSW AI Assessment Framework demonstrate a collective recognition of the need for stronger oversight of AI technologies.
Through cases like Hannah’s, and by confronting incidents like the fake TikTok account targeting Mr Rowe, we are reminded of the importance of robust legal protections in the digital age.
Defamation: Fake TikTok – Fighting Back
At O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors, we remain deeply committed to fighting for those who have been harmed by technology-facilitated abuse, whether through defamation, AI-generated images, or other forms of online harassment.
We will continue to pursue all avenues to protect our staff, our clients, and our broader community. If you or someone you know has been impacted by online impersonation, defamation, or AI-generated abuse, our experienced team is here to help.
Together, we can hold offenders accountable and safeguard the integrity of individuals and our community.
Need help with a defamation matter?
📞 Contact O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors today to speak to one of our experienced lawyers.
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