Online vigilantism in China

The largely online (but sometimes offline) vigilantism we're seeing in the US (with Perverted-Justice.com, smaller groups, and individuals) is nothing compared to the very "real world" Chinese version. The Chinese call it "Internet hunting," according to a New York Times report that leads with the story an "an impassioned, 5,000-word letter on one of the country's most popular Internet bulletin boards from a husband denouncing a college student he suspected of having an affair with his wife." The story ended with "total strangers forming teams that [within days] hunted down the student, hounded him out of his university and caused his family to barricade themselves inside their home. Immediately, hundreds joined in the attack." Comparisons are being made between Internet hunting and frightening mobs taking "justice" in their own hands during the Cultural Revolution (China's marking its 40th anniversary this year). Check out the Times piece to see what Beijing and local authorities are doing about it.