Largely unique to China, the Human Flesh Search Engine (人肉搜索) is a social phenomenon that has rapidly swept across the nation over the past decade, and has come to dominate every corner of the Chinese internet. Even if you’re not familiar with the term, you’ve likely read stories or heard of cases about individuals who were exposed, scrutinized, or publicly humiliated on account of their online persona. Different from the notorious celebrity gossip that’s so popular in other countries, this network of forums, micro-blogs and entertainment websites in China will target anyone from the typical internet user to the rich, famous, and powerful. And it's become quite the force to be reckoned with. Let’s explore this phenomenon that is profoundly affecting the public life in China.

 

What is the Human Flesh Search Engine?

China’s Human Flesh Search Engine is comprised of thousands of websites and is used to uncover information on others and identify anonymous internet personas. The system is based on massive human collaboration, bringing together knowledge contributed by humans through social networking. It is dedicated predominately to uncovering the identity of a person who has committed an offense or social breach online, and thus has been dubbed the “Human Flesh Search Engine”. However, as they often rely on unofficial or unlawfully obtained information, the accuracy of these searches can vary wildly.

The phenomenon has received international attention and has been covered in the Guardian, Forbes, Wired, IEEE publications and the New York Times, to name a few. In 2009, it was dramatized in the television crime drama Law and Order. In an episode titled “Human Flesh Search Engine” (Season 20 Episode 6), a photo was posted of prominent fashion designer texting while driving on a Human Flesh Search forum, leading to the discovery of his car registration, address and security code to his apartment, and resulting in his murder.

How is the Human Flesh Search Engine used?

The Human Flesh Search Engine is largely used to indentify nameless internet users or to expose individuals to public humiliation or scrutiny. It differs from traditional search engines in that it involves a process by which an online community comes together to track down specific individuals or facts, with every participant contributing the information he/she knows or finds out. A Human Flesh Search usually starts with a morally wrong event being disclosed by someone online and is followed by thousands of others joining forces to reveal the details or the truth of the event and the related individual. Commonly viewed as a method of internet vigilantism, the phenomenon has been criticized by those who see it as little more than a lawless form of “organized stalking”.

Be that as it may, it has also allowed Chinese netizens to take a stance or make a statement on various issues; to break down the walls of internet censorship and have their voices heard amidst an otherwise restrictive government. Somewhat evolving past its sketchy roots, the Human Flesh Search has become a platform for Chinese people to identify social norms and pursue justice on their own. In recent years, it has been used to expose the devious acts of government officials, expose cases of scientific and academic fraud, as well as criticize anti-China sentiments. Traditional media in China has also played a role in the rise of the Human Flesh Search, having been known to eagerly spread the news of major sex scandals and other provocative stories for the purpose of attracting readers.

Infamous Human Flesh Searches

The earliest known example of a Human Flesh Search occurred in 2001, when an internet user posted a photo of an unnamed young woman on a forum, claiming she was his girlfriend, triggering a group of users to begin performing searches to find out who she was. The young woman was later identified as model Chen Ziyao when she shared her personal information on the forum to prove the man’s claim as a lie.

Other notable Human Flesh Search cases:

1. In 2006, a nurse was filmed on camera intentionally crushing a kitten under her stiletto heel. She was later fired from her job after netizens Human Flesh Searched her, tracing her stiletto heel to a purchase made on eBay, and published her personal information online.
2. In 2007, a Beijing woman committed suicide over her husband’s infidelity and his demand for a divorce. She had kept a diary detailing her husband’s betrayal, which included a photo of her husband and his alleged mistress. After her death, the diary was made public which led to the discovery of her husband’s name and personal details. He and his mistress were forced to leave their jobs.
3. In 2010, a young man named Li Qiming hit two rollerbladers while driving intoxicated through Hebei University. During his attempt to flee, he was stopped by security guards, to whom he yelled, “Go ahead, sue me if you dare, my father is Li Gang!" (The deputy director of the Baoding City Public Security Bureau at the time). A Human Flesh Search not only revealed personal information and photos of Li Qiming, but also uncovered his father’s involvement in corrupt real estate dealings.
4. In 2012, an internet user posted a photo of a government official in Shaanxi province smiling at the site of a bus crash that killed 36 people. Enraged citizens started a human flesh search, publicizing his name and rank and also uncovering several photos of him wearing various luxury watches priced above his pay grade. In response to the public uproar, the Shaanxi provincial disciplinary body detained the individual and began investigations.

What is the impact of the Human Flesh Search phenomenon?

There are at least two sides to every argument, and the Human Flesh Search argument is no different. Most importantly, it allows the public to participate in the pursuit of justice in fields where laws are inadequate or ineffective. Wrong-doers are increasingly realizing the consequences of their inappropriate online behavior and internet users are eager to participate, making sure these people pay for what they’ve done. This opportunity for people to have a voice and stand up against socially unjust behavior is unprecedented in China. And with an increasing number of people gaining access to the internet, more and more users are enthusiastically participating and expressing themselves.

However, in many cases they are doing so without considering the impact of their words, and tend to be more destructive than constructive. Simply put, the uncontrollable impact of this mass collaboration sometimes brings disaster to the individuals involved. As the internet increasingly becomes an extension of reality, users are losing the pleasure of anonymity that they once enjoyed online. People who are victims of a Human Flesh Search must bear the misfortune of their personal information being displayed to people all over the world. Meanwhile, the key players behind the search who seek and reveal this information are safely hidden, protected by their online aliases. Unfortunately, the Human Flesh Search is oftentimes abused and used as a source of entertainment against people who are namelessly expressing themselves online and aren’t necessarily causing any harm. One’s privacy is lost at the cost of another’s boredom.

Conclusion

With 564 million netizens as of year-end 2012—many of them passionate about and delighted by the Human Flesh Search—the social and political impact of this phenomenon could be quite serious. Researchers of the Human Flesh Search phenomenon argue that as the internet in China continues to expand and become accessible to a greater proportion of the population, the power of the Human Flesh Search Engine will need to be reined in. Not surprisingly, the government has already taken a stand against this type of cyber violence and privacy violation by implementing tighter internet regulations and new privacy regulations.

Related links
The Birth and Death of China’s Civilian-Run Corruption Reporting Websites
Survey: Young Chinese Netizens Express Surprising Political Opinions
The Weibo Revolution - 140 Characters for a Voice

Warning：The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: Chinese Internet Human Flesh Search