FORCED TO TACKLE ONLINE ABUSE

menacingly about murder.

Despite identifying the threat, the global tech giant still required a court order for Danzeisen to obtain the location of the commenter.

Danzeisen said this information would help her to know if she was safe, or not. ‘‘Is the person in New Zealand or not? Is the person my neighbour or not.’’

Danzeisen went to report the comment to police but was told she should instead go to Netsafe.

Netsafe offered to help her get the comments taken down.

But Danzeisen said she didn’t want the comments removed before an investigation to find out where the person was living.

‘‘For basic bullying, like a teen on teen, it’s a good idea to take the comment down, but when it’s a threatening and ongoing dehumanising situation you actually need to know who it is.’’

Netsafe staff said it was a serious threat and Danzeisen would need police assistance to get information about the person responsible. Google, the owner of YouTube, turned down a request by police for the information and said Danzeisen would need to obtain a court order.

Police advised she would have a higher chance of success in obtaining a court order under the civil remedies provided for by the Harmful Digital Communications Act, than the criminal standard.

‘‘The system requires me to put myself out there, to take the time and take on a global company because the company refuses to release the name of the person who is threatening me.’’