Entertainment Companies Intensify Legal Actions Against Online Harassment

In response to the rising tide of online harassment, misinformation, and deepfake content targeting celebrities, entertainment companies are ramping up their legal efforts to protect their artists. HYBE has issued a comprehensive legal update detailing actions taken against malicious online activities across its labels, including BTS, CORTIS, and TXT. The agency emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy and encourages fans to report rights violations. Legal actions include addressing defamation, stalking, and privacy violations, with various agencies pursuing offenders rigorously. This unified stand aims to ensure the safety and well-being of artists in an increasingly hostile online environment.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 30, 2026, 13:51 IST

Combatting Online Hate: A Unified Stand

With the rise of online harassment, misinformation, and deepfake technology targeting celebrities, entertainment firms are enhancing their protective measures for artists. HYBE has reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy by issuing a detailed legal update on actions taken against harmful online behavior. This announcement was made through the official Weverse accounts of various artists, including BTS, CORTIS, TXT, NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, TWS, BOYNEXTDOOR, &TEAM, and Zico. The update includes information on criminal complaints, court decisions, ongoing investigations, and stricter actions against violators. The company has also encouraged fans to report any rights infringements via its official reporting platform.

HYBE's Legal Measures Against Online Abuse

BTS

BigHit Music continues to take legal action against harmful posts, defamation, insults, and sexual harassment directed at BTS. In the second quarter of 2026, the agency filed additional complaints across various Korean online platforms and global social media. It was noted that an individual who repeatedly spread false information received a deferred prosecution agreement after being charged with defamation and criminal contempt.

Furthermore, the agency reported the outcome of a stalking case involving a trespasser at a BTS member's home. The individual was detained for approximately three months and subsequently received a one-year prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. BIGHIT emphasized that loitering near artists' residences, following them, or leaving gifts constitutes criminal behavior, and it will persist in taking action "without any settlement or leniency."

CORTIS and Ongoing Legal Actions

CORTIS

In response to online hate directed at boyband CORTIS, BigHit Music has been actively pursuing legal action against malicious posts, including insults, false information, manipulated images, and sexually degrading content. Given that several members are minors, the agency has requested thorough investigations and strict penalties from authorities. Additionally, it confirmed that Weverse accounts violating community guidelines have been restricted.

The statement also addressed illegal sales of flight information, with criminal complaints filed in May against accounts allegedly selling artists' travel details. The company reported multiple privacy violations, including unauthorized photography while members were resting, GPS trackers allegedly placed on artist vehicles during schedules in Paris, hotel stalking, and repeated harassment at airports. It pledged to continue taking robust legal and on-site actions against such misconduct.

TXT's Ongoing Legal Efforts

TXT

Expressing gratitude to fans for their support, BigHit Music stated that it has been pursuing legal proceedings against malicious slander, false information, defamation, insults, and sexual harassment. The agency has gathered evidence from online communities, music platforms, and social media, leading to criminal complaints against those responsible for abusive posts.

Key concerns highlighted include sexually humiliating content, defamatory remarks about the group's achievements, and false claims regarding the members' activities. The agency is closely monitoring unauthorized use of TXT's music and coordinating with platforms to remove infringing content, maintaining a strict zero-tolerance policy towards repeat offenders.

TWS and Privacy Violations

TWS

PLEDIS Entertainment has continued its legal actions against malicious posts, false information, and defamation targeting TWS. The agency reiterated its zero-tolerance policy, stating that there will be no settlements or leniency. Recently, two suspects received deferred prosecution decisions with mandatory educational programs, while another individual was fined for repeatedly trespassing at an event venue and illegally filming the members.

The agency also addressed privacy violations, including stalking near the members' residences and illegally obtaining their personal information.

LE SSERAFIM's Legal Actions

LE SSERAFIM

SOURCE MUSIC continues to pursue legal action against defamation, insults, sexual harassment, and false information targeting LE SSERAFIM. The label emphasized that "deleting a post does not prevent us from identifying and pursuing the individual responsible," detailing ongoing investigations, deepfake-related cases, and a civil lawsuit it won against a YouTuber accused of spreading false rumors about the group.

NewJeans and Monitoring Efforts

NewJeans

ADOR reported that malicious comments targeting NewJeans have reached a level necessitating expanded monitoring and additional evidence collection. The agency stressed that it "does not offer settlements or seek leniency under any circumstances" in deepfake-related cases and provided updates on ongoing investigations, including one where an offender's appeal against a three-year prison sentence was dismissed.

ILLIT's Legal Pursuits

ILLIT

BELIFT LAB disclosed that an individual who repeatedly posted sexually abusive content targeting ILLIT was found guilty and fined 3 million won. The agency is also pursuing deepfake offenders and investigating threats against the group, warning that "any terror-related or harm-related plotting against the artists constitutes a serious criminal act."

BOYNEXTDOOR's Legal Actions

BOYNEXTDOOR

KOZ Entertainment has filed criminal complaints after gathering evidence of malicious posts, insults, and false information targeting BOYNEXTDOOR. The company reminded users that anonymous and deleted posts can still be traced and stated it would "thoroughly track and hold accountable malicious actors" spreading harmful content.

&TEAM's Ongoing Legal Measures

&TEAM

YX LABELS continues to take legal action against defamation, malicious slander, sexual harassment, and privacy violations targeting &TEAM. The agency has also intensified efforts to safeguard the group's safety and personal information, reiterating that offenders will face action "with no settlements or leniency under any circumstances."

Zico's Increased Legal Actions

Zico

Following his television appearance, KOZ Entertainment noted a rise in malicious posts targeting Zico, prompting new criminal complaints against individuals spreading insults and false information. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to pursue "all possible legal measures... without any settlement or leniency" against offenders.