Masjoody v. X Corp., Momeni, 2025 BCSC 1004
In a key ruling on cyberlibel enforcement, the BC Supreme Court granted a broad injunction requiring the removal of defamatory posts and disclosure of the identities of anonymous online users. The plaintiff alleged a coordinated smear campaign involving false allegations circulated through X Corp. (formerly Twitter) and third-party defendants.
The court granted the injunction on the basis that irreparable reputational harm was occurring and that there was a strong prima facie case of defamation. The court ordered both named and unidentified ‘John Doe’ defendants to cease publication, and required the platform to produce identifying information. The case demonstrates the increasing willingness of Canadian courts to pierce anonymity in online torts.
International lawyers should take note: coordinated anonymous defamation campaigns may not remain shielded by online privacy. Canadian courts are increasingly equipping plaintiffs with tools to trace, restrain, and identify foreign or pseudonymous cyberlibel actors when reputational damage occurs in Canada. This decision fits within a growing body of Canadian jurisprudence recognizing the serious reputational harm that can result from defamatory online publications.