A Growing and Alarming Trend: Settling Disputes Through Public Shaming on Social Media
Sudan Events – Agencies
An increasingly widespread phenomenon has emerged across social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok: public shaming, a practice that has sparked deep concern within the community. Posts have begun circulating that accuse certain individuals of financial misconduct or fraud, accompanied by their full names, the names of their siblings and relatives, phone numbers, and places of work—all in an attempt to intensify the impact.
One example involves a person claiming that someone they know entered a business venture with them and then disappeared with the money. They proceed to publicly accuse that individual of fraud. Another example features a landlord whose tenant has not paid rent for several months; instead of seeking formal channels, the landlord posts the entire story on social media or records a TikTok video promising to reveal more “details” if the debt is not repaid within a certain timeframe—often including photos of the accused, their children, and personal contact information.
This trend is not limited to men. A number of women have adopted similar methods. One young woman took to social media to recount, in detail, allegations of abuse by her husband’s family—publicly naming individuals and describing incidents within the household. Another woman created a Facebook page with more than 100,000 followers dedicated to attacking her ex-husband and his family. Now living in Europe, she livestreams videos containing highly sensitive accusations—content that threatens families and undermines core Sudanese social and moral values. Many of the people mentioned are real, and their names, photos, and neighborhoods are openly shared. In some cases, commenters claim to be relatives, neighbors, or close friends of the individuals involved.
Is this simply one of the consequences of war? Or has the war merely exposed pre-existing moral cracks? The ramifications are tangible: some families have engaged in violent confrontations because a son or daughter posted content they perceived as disgraceful—such as the young man in Cairo who livestreamed accusations against his fiancée and her family, naming them, their address, and phone numbers, leading her family in Sudan to retaliate against his.
Social researcher Samah Yousif argues that the issue is not directly tied to the war:
“The war has certainly caused social disruption, but what we’re seeing here is a personal disregard for values and religion. What’s strange is that some families completely overlook the moral, religious, and legal violations committed by their children. Is this encouragement, or merely blind loyalty?”
Lawyer Saeed Abdullah Al-Fadni confirms the legal implications:
“Legally, the matter is clear. Anyone who defames others on social media can be arrested and prosecuted. Some believe that living in countries like Egypt—which hosts many Sudanese refugees and from which most complaints originate—protects them from legal accountability. That assumption is wrong.”
He adds that many social-media accusations are baseless:
“Some claims are true, but publishing someone’s name, their family members, and phone numbers exposes the accuser to legal consequences. If someone has a legitimate grievance, the proper channel is to file a complaint with the Cybercrimes Prosecutor—not to engage in defamatory livestreams.”
Samah Yousif echoes the concern:
“Red lines are being crossed constantly. What was once taboo is now openly discussed online with names and photos. This is dangerous. Talking about people’s personal lives has become a tool for blackmail, revenge, and intimidation. Many of those involved live outside Sudan—not long-term expatriates, but people who fled recently because of the war. While the war has brought many hardships and moral strain, what we see now reveals the true character of those who choose to settle their disputes through defamation. I see no justification for it when courts and legal channels remain available.”
