16:02:11

Protection Against Online Harassment, Cyberstalking, Defamation, and Violations of Academic Freedom

PREAMBLE

This Legal Notice is issued pursuant to the applicable laws of the Republic of Finland and the European Union, as well as relevant international instruments protecting freedom of scientific research and the rights of researchers. It constitutes a formal warning to any person, entity, group, or organization engaging in conduct described herein. The Owner reserves all rights to pursue legal remedies, both civil and criminal, in Finland - and/or in any other competent jurisdiction across the globe - against any party violating the provisions set forth below.

ARTICLE 1 — IDENTIFICATION AND GOVERNING LAW

1.1. Website Owner

The owner and sole operator of this website (hereinafter "the Owner") is a doctoral researcher and natural person residing in Finland, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Helsinki District Court (Helsingin käräjäoikeus). The Owner is engaged in academic research and scientific dissemination activities protected under Finnish, European, and international law.

1.2. Governing Law

This Legal Notice is governed by:

(a) The laws of the Republic of Finland, including but not limited to the Criminal Code of Finland (Rikoslaki 39/1889, as amended) and the Constitution of Finland (Suomen perustuslaki 731/1999);

(b) The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2012/C 326/02), in particular Article 13 (Freedom of the Arts and Sciences);

(d) Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act — DSA);

(e) The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention, CETS No. 210);

(f) The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), in particular Article 10 (Freedom of Expression);

(g) The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), in particular Article 15 (Right to Science).

1.3. Jurisdiction

Any dispute arising from or in connection with this Legal Notice, or any conduct described herein, shall fall under the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Helsinki, Finland.

1.4. Reservation of Rights — International Jurisdiction

Nothing in this Legal Notice shall be construed as limiting, waiving, or otherwise restricting the Owner's right to pursue legal remedies, whether civil or criminal, in any jurisdiction where:

(a) The harmful conduct originated or was perpetrated;

(b) The damage or harm was suffered or manifested;

(d) The content was accessible or the effects were felt;

(e) Any other basis for jurisdiction exists under applicable national, EU, or international law.

The Owner expressly reserves the right to initiate parallel or successive proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, in accordance with:

(f) Regulation (EU) No 1215/2012 (Brussels I Recast): Pursuant to Article 7(2), in matters relating to tort, delict, or quasi-delict, the courts of the place where the harmful event occurred or may occur shall have jurisdiction. The CJEU has consistently held that, in cases of online defamation and privacy violations, the victim may bring proceedings in any Member State where the content is accessible and where the victim's reputation may have been affected (cf. CJEU, C-509/09 and C-161/10, eDate Advertising and Martinez, 25 October 2011; CJEU, C-194/16, Bolagsupplysningen, 17 October 2017);

(g) Regulation (EC) No 864/2007 (Rome II): Article 4 provides that the law applicable to a non-contractual obligation arising out of a tort shall be the law of the country in which the damage occurs;

(h) National laws of EU Member States: Many EU Member States provide for criminal jurisdiction over cyber-harassment, defamation, and privacy violations committed against their nationals or residents, regardless of where the perpetrator is located. The Owner reserves the right to file criminal complaints (plainte pénale, Strafanzeige, denuncia, rikosilmoitus) with the competent prosecutorial authorities of any such State;

(i) Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and EU instruments: Including the European Investigation Order (Directive 2014/41/EU) and the Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Member States of the European Union (2000/C 197/01), facilitating cross-border cooperation in criminal investigations.

The Owner's choice to invoke Finnish jurisdiction in this Notice does not constitute an election of forum and shall not preclude the exercise of any other jurisdictional option available under applicable law.

ARTICLE 2 — DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Legal Notice, the following definitions shall apply:

2.1. "Stalking" (Vainoaminen)

Repeated targeting of another person through observation, contact, following, or similar conduct that is conducive to instilling fear or anxiety in the targeted person, as defined under Chapter 25, Section 7a of the Finnish Criminal Code.

Ref: Rikoslaki 25:7a — Vainoaminen

2.2. "Harassing Communications" (Viestintärauhan rikkominen)

Repeatedly sending messages or making calls to another person in a manner conducive to causing significant disturbance or harm to that person, as defined under Chapter 24, Section 1a of the Finnish Criminal Code.

Ref: Rikoslaki 24:1a — Viestintärauhan rikkominen

2.3. "Defamation" (Kunnianloukkaus)

Spreading false information, insinuations, or denigrating content about another person in a manner conducive to causing damage to that person's reputation, profession, or personal life, as defined under Chapter 24, Sections 9–10 of the Finnish Criminal Code.

Ref: Rikoslaki 24:9 — Kunnianloukkaus; Rikoslaki 24:10 — Törkeä kunnianloukkaus

2.4. "Dissemination of Information Violating Personal Privacy"

Unlawfully disseminating information, insinuation, or images relating to another person's private life in a manner conducive to causing harm or suffering to the targeted person, as defined under Chapter 24, Sections 8–8a of the Finnish Criminal Code.

Ref: Rikoslaki 24:8 — Yksityiselämää loukkaavan tiedon levittäminen

2.5. "Cyberstalking"

Any form of stalking, harassment, or surveillance conducted through digital means, including but not limited to: monitoring social media activity, tracking online presence, coordinated online campaigns, coded communications referencing the target's private life, and any other technology-mediated conduct falling within the scope of the definitions above.

2.6. "Scientific Researcher"

Any person engaged in research and experimental development activities, at any stage of their career, in any sector (public, private, academic), in accordance with the definition provided by the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (2017), Section I, Paragraph 1.

2.7. "Freedom of Scientific Research"

The freedom to define research questions, to identify methods by which problems are solved, to choose and develop theories, to question accepted wisdom and bring forward new ideas, to disseminate and publish results, and to associate in professional or representative academic bodies, free from political, ideological, religious, or economic interference, as recognized under Article 13 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the UNESCO Recommendation (2017), and the Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research (2020).

2.8. "Ideological Appropriation"

Any attempt to misrepresent, distort, selectively quote, or instrumentalize a researcher's work for political, religious, ideological, or commercial purposes without authorization, or to falsely associate the researcher with positions, movements, or organizations contrary to their expressed views.

ARTICLE 3 — FREEDOM OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC AUTONOMY

3.1. Fundamental Principles

The Owner, as a scientific researcher, is entitled to the full protection of the freedom of scientific research and academic freedom under the following legal instruments:

(a) Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Article 13: "The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint. Academic freedom shall be respected." This provision protects both the individual dimension (freedom to research, teach, and publish) and the institutional dimension (autonomy of academic institutions), as confirmed by the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-66/18, European Commission v. Hungary, 6 October 2020;

(b) Constitution of Finland (Suomen perustuslaki), Section 16: "The freedom of science, the arts and higher education is guaranteed." This constitutional provision ensures that scientific research in Finland is conducted free from external interference;

(c) UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers (2017): This instrument, adopted by 195 Member States, establishes that "open communication of the results, hypotheses and opinions — as suggested by the phrase 'academic freedom' — lies at the very heart of the scientific process, and provides the strongest guarantee of accuracy and objectivity of scientific results" (Preamble). Researchers should enjoy "freedom of thought and expression, and the freedom to identify methods by which problems are solved, according to recognised ethical principles and practices" (Section III);

(d) European Charter for Researchers (Commission Recommendation 2005/251/EC, updated by Council Recommendation 2023/C 1640): "Researchers should focus their research for the good of mankind and for expanding the frontiers of scientific knowledge, while enjoying the freedom of thought and expression, and the freedom to identify methods by which problems are solved." The Charter addresses all researchers at all stages of their career and in all sectors;

(e) Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research (20 October 2020): Adopted by the Research Ministers of EU Member States, this Declaration reaffirms that "the freedom of scientific research is a universal right and public good" and that it "is a core principle of the European Union and as such anchored in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU." Signatories undertake to "protect researchers from political, economic and ideological pressures" and to "condemn all violations to the freedom of scientific research";

(f) International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 15: Finland, as a State Party, recognizes the right of everyone "to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications" and undertakes to respect "the freedom indispensable for scientific research." The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in General Comment No. 25 (2020), has elaborated extensively on the normative content of this right;

(g) European Convention on Human Rights, Article 10: The European Court of Human Rights has recognized that academic freedom falls within the scope of the right to freedom of expression, requiring States to protect researchers from undue interference (ECtHR, Sorguç v. Turkey, No. 17089/03, 2009; ECtHR, Mustafa Erdoğan and Others v. Turkey, Nos. 346/04 and 39779/04, 2014);

(h) Magna Charta Universitatum (1988, renewed 2020): This foundational document, signed by over 900 universities worldwide, declares that "freedom in research and training is the fundamental principle of university life" and that "teaching and research in universities must be inseparable." The 2020 renewal emphasizes the need to defend these values against all threats.

3.2. Rights of the Researcher

In accordance with the instruments cited above, the Owner is entitled to:

(a) Define her own research questions and methodologies without external interference;

(b) Develop, question, and refine theoretical frameworks, including interdisciplinary and innovative approaches;

(d) Engage in public discourse, science communication, and policy discussions related to her field of expertise;

(e) Associate freely with academic networks, professional organizations, and research communities;

(f) Be protected from harassment, intimidation, and retaliation arising from the exercise of these rights;

(g) Maintain intellectual autonomy free from political, religious, ideological, or commercial coercion.

3.3. Protection Against Harassment of Researchers

International and European bodies have documented increasing harassment of scientific researchers, particularly those working on sensitive or politically contested topics. The UNESCO Programme on the Freedom and Safety of Scientists (2024) reports that:

(a) More than one in five researchers working on COVID-19 have faced threats to their safety;

(b) Approximately two in five researchers working on climate change have experienced harassment;

The European Parliament, in its Resolution of 17 January 2024 on the promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU (2023/2098(INI)), has called for strengthened legal protection of researchers against harassment and for monitoring mechanisms at the EU level.

Any harassment, intimidation, surveillance, or coordinated campaign targeting the Owner in connection with her research activities constitutes a violation of her fundamental rights and may give rise to legal action under the instruments cited herein.

ARTICLE 4 — PROHIBITION OF POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL APPROPRIATION

4.1. Principle of Non-Instrumentalization

The Owner's research, publications, and public statements are the product of independent scholarly inquiry. They shall not be appropriated, distorted, or instrumentalized for purposes foreign to their original intent, including but not limited to:

(a) Political propaganda or partisan advocacy;

(b) Religious proselytism or sectarian recruitment;

(d) Commercial exploitation without authorization;

(e) Disinformation campaigns or manipulation of public opinion.

4.2. Prohibited Conduct

The following conduct is expressly prohibited:

(f) Selective or decontextualized quotation: Citing the Owner's work in a manner that misrepresents its meaning, scope, or conclusions, or omitting context necessary for accurate understanding;

(g) False association: Implying that the Owner endorses, supports, or is affiliated with any political party, religious organization, ideological movement, or commercial entity without her express written consent;

(h) Misrepresentation of views: Attributing to the Owner positions, opinions, or statements she has not made, or distorting her views to fit a predetermined narrative;

(i) Recruitment or proselytism: Using the Owner's work, name, or image to recruit individuals to political, religious, or ideological movements, or to legitimize such movements;

(j) Weaponization of research: Using the Owner's research to attack, discredit, or harass third parties, or to advance agendas contrary to the values of academic integrity and human dignity.

4.3. Independence from Religious and Political Institutions

The Owner hereby declares that:

(k) This website, blog, and all associated publications are entirely independent of any religious institution, denomination, congregation, order, or ecclesiastical authority;

(l) This website, blog, and all associated publications are entirely independent of any political party, movement, faction, or lobbying organization;

(m) The Owner does not represent, speak for, or act on behalf of any university, research institution, or organization unless expressly stated;

(n) Views expressed are the Owner's own and do not necessarily reflect those of any employer, funder, or affiliated institution;

(o) Any attempt to falsely associate the Owner with external institutions or movements for purposes of legitimization, discreditation, or manipulation is expressly prohibited and may constitute defamation.

4.4. Legal Basis

The prohibition of ideological appropriation is grounded in:

(p) Moral rights under copyright law: The Owner's right to the integrity of her work and to object to any distortion, mutilation, or modification prejudicial to her honor or reputation, as recognized under Article 6bis of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and transposed into Finnish law (Tekijänoikeuslaki 404/1961, Section 3);

(q) Protection of personal honor: The right not to be subjected to attacks upon one's honor and reputation, as recognized under Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 17 of the ICCPR;

(r) Defamation law: False association or misrepresentation may constitute defamation under Finnish law (Rikoslaki 24:9–10);

(s) GDPR: The unauthorized use of the Owner's name, image, or personal data in connection with political or religious activities may violate Regulation (EU) 2016/679, particularly Articles 5 (lawfulness, fairness, transparency), 6 (lawful basis for processing), and 9 (special categories of data, including political opinions and religious beliefs).

ARTICLE 5 — PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct, whether committed by a single individual or in coordination with others, is expressly prohibited and may give rise to criminal prosecution and/or civil liability:

5.1. Surveillance and Monitoring

(a) Systematic or repeated monitoring of the Owner's online presence, publications, or social media activity;

(b) Tracking the Owner's connections, interactions, or professional network;

5.2. Harassing Communications

(d) Repeated, unwanted, direct or indirect contact with the Owner through any medium;

(e) Communications through intermediaries or coded references designed to reach or unsettle the Owner;

(f) Public or semi-public statements, posts, or comments containing veiled references to the Owner's private life.

5.3. Defamation and Denigration

(g) Spreading false, misleading, or decontextualized information about the Owner;

(h) Making insinuations or coded statements designed to damage the Owner's professional reputation, academic standing, or personal relationships;

(i) Coordinated campaigns to discredit the Owner in professional, religious, political, or social circles.

5.4. Unauthorized Use of Content

(j) Taking screenshots, excerpts, or copies of the Owner's content for purposes of ridicule, distortion, surveillance, or incitement;

(k) Sharing the Owner's content without authorization in contexts designed to cause harm or reputational damage;

(l) Any reproduction or derivative use of content that violates the Owner's intellectual property rights or moral rights.

5.5. Coordinated and Organized Harassment

(m) Any participation in coordinated campaigns, groups, or networks targeting the Owner;

(n) Inciting, encouraging, or facilitating others to engage in any of the conduct described herein;

(o) Providing information, resources, or logistical support to persons or groups engaging in such conduct.

ARTICLE 6 — LEGAL BASIS AND SANCTIONS

6.1. Criminal Liability under Finnish Law

Persons engaging in the conduct described in Articles 4 and 5 may be subject to criminal prosecution under the following provisions of the Finnish Criminal Code (Rikoslaki):

(a) Chapter 25, Section 7a (Stalking — Vainoaminen): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two (2) years;

(b) Chapter 24, Section 1a (Harassing Communications — Viestintärauhan rikkominen): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six (6) months;

(c) Chapter 24, Section 9 (Defamation — Kunnianloukkaus): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six (6) months;

(d) Chapter 24, Section 10 (Aggravated Defamation — Törkeä kunnianloukkaus): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two (2) years;

(e) Chapter 24, Section 8 (Dissemination of Information Violating Personal Privacy): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two (2) years;

(f) Chapter 25, Section 8 (Coercion — Pakottaminen): Punishable by a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two (2) years.

6.2. Civil Liability

In addition to criminal sanctions, the Owner reserves the right to seek:

(g) Compensatory damages for material and immaterial harm suffered;

(h) Injunctive relief and restraining orders (lähestymiskielto) under Finnish law;

(i) Cease-and-desist orders requiring removal of defamatory or infringing content;

(j) Recovery of legal costs and attorney's fees;

(k) Any other remedies available under Finnish, EU, or international law.

6.3. EU and International Framework

The conduct described herein may also violate:

(l) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR): The Owner may lodge complaints with the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman (Tietosuojavaltuutettu) and/or with any competent EU supervisory authority;

(m) Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 (Digital Services Act): The Owner may report illegal content to relevant platforms and, where applicable, to the Finnish Digital Services Coordinator (Traficom);

(n) Istanbul Convention (CETS No. 210), Article 34: Finland has criminalized stalking in compliance with this Convention. Cross-border harassment may be subject to coordinated enforcement under EU and Council of Europe mechanisms.

ARTICLE 7 — RIGHT OF REPLY AND RECTIFICATION

7.1. Principle

The Owner reserves the full exercise of her right of reply (droit de réponse, Gegendarstellungsrecht, oikeus vastineeseen) against any person or media outlet publishing false, misleading, defamatory, or decontextualized information about her, her work, or her professional or personal life.

7.2. Legal Basis

The right of reply is recognized under:

(a) Council of Europe Resolution (74) 26 on the Right of Reply: Recommending that Member States ensure that any natural or legal person has an effective right of reply or equivalent remedy enabling them to defend themselves against information presented as facts in the media;

(b) Directive 2010/13/EU (Audiovisual Media Services Directive), Article 28: Requiring Member States to ensure that any natural or legal person, regardless of nationality, whose legitimate interests have been damaged by an assertion of incorrect facts in a television programme, has a right of reply or equivalent remedies;

(c) European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence: The ECtHR has recognized that the right of reply is an important element of the freedom to receive and impart information under Article 10 ECHR, particularly in the context of protecting individuals against media abuse (Melnychuk v. Ukraine, No. 28743/03, 2005);

(d) Finnish Act on the Exercise of Freedom of Expression in Mass Media (Laki sananvapauden käyttämisestä joukkoviestinnässä 460/2003): Chapter 3 provides for the right of reply (vastine) and correction (oikaisu), enabling persons affected by publications to request the publication of a response or correction.

7.3. Scope of Application

The Owner shall exercise her right of reply against:

(e) Traditional media outlets (newspapers, television, radio, magazines);

(f) Online media platforms and news websites;

(g) Blogs, podcasts, and video channels with significant reach;

(h) Social media accounts, pages, or groups engaged in public discourse;

(i) Any other publication or communication reaching a significant audience.

7.4. Procedure

In the event of publication of false or defamatory information, the Owner may:

(j) Demand the immediate publication of a rectification or correction in the same medium and with equivalent prominence;

(k) Demand the publication of her reply, which shall be published without alteration, omission, or editorial comment;

(l) Demand the removal or de-indexing of defamatory content;

(m) Report the content as illegal under the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065) and request platform action;

(n) Lodge complaints with the Finnish Council for Mass Media (Julkisen sanan neuvosto) or equivalent bodies in other jurisdictions;

(o) Initiate legal proceedings for defamation, privacy violation, or other applicable causes of action.

7.5. Public Clarification

The Owner further reserves the right to publish public clarifications on this website, on her social media accounts, and through any other channels she deems appropriate, in order to correct the record and protect her reputation. Such clarifications shall be considered an exercise of her fundamental right to freedom of expression under Article 10 ECHR and Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

ARTICLE 8 — EVIDENCE PRESERVATION AND DOCUMENTATION

The Owner maintains a systematic record of all evidence relating to harassment, stalking, defamation, or violations of her rights, including but not limited to:

(a) Screenshots of relevant online activity, with timestamps and metadata;

(b) Server logs and access records where available;

(d) Witness statements and third-party reports;

(e) Expert analyses and forensic reports where necessary;

(f) Archived copies of web pages (e.g., via archive.org or certified screenshots).

All evidence is preserved in formats admissible before Finnish courts and courts of other competent jurisdictions, and may be disclosed to law enforcement, legal counsel, or competent authorities as required.

ARTICLE 9 — FORMAL NOTICE AND WARNING

This Legal Notice constitutes a formal warning to any person, group, or entity engaging in the conduct described herein. Continued harassment, stalking, surveillance, defamation, ideological appropriation, or other violations after publication of this Notice shall be considered willful and deliberate, constituting an aggravating factor in any subsequent legal proceedings.

The Owner will not tolerate violations of her fundamental rights under the Finnish Constitution (Perustuslaki), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights, and applicable international instruments. Legal action will be initiated without further warning where necessary to protect the Owner's safety, dignity, academic freedom, and professional standing.

Ignorance of this Notice shall not be considered an excuse. This Legal Notice is publicly accessible and constitutes constructive notice to all persons. Any person engaging in the conduct described herein after its publication will be presumed to have had knowledge of its contents.

ARTICLE 10 — REPORTING AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Any person who has witnessed or possesses information about harassment, defamation, or other violations targeting the Owner is encouraged to report such conduct. Reports may be submitted through:

(g) The contact form available on this website;

(h) Direct communication to the Owner's legal counsel (details available upon request).

For complaints to Finnish authorities, relevant contacts include:

(i) Finnish Police (Poliisi): poliisi.fi — Criminal reports for stalking, harassment, and defamation;

(j) Data Protection Ombudsman (Tietosuojavaltuutettu): tietosuoja.fi — GDPR complaints;

(k) Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom): traficom.fi — DSA-related complaints;

(l) Finnish Council for Mass Media (Julkisen sanan neuvosto): jsn.fi — Media ethics complaints.

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Last updated: December 2025

Helsinki, Finland.