Sara Nilsson of Dumpen Convicted of Gross Defamation by Gothenburg Court

Sara Nilsson, the responsible publisher of the Swedish website Dumpen, has been convicted of gross defamation by Göteborgs tingsrätt (Gothenburg District Court). The case, which unfolded over the last two years, involved a man in his 30s whose name, image, and CV were publicly exposed on Dumpen after he engaged in online sexual chats with a fictitious 14-year-old girl. The court aligned with a press freedom jury's finding that Nilsson's publication caused significant psychological distress to the man. As a result, Nilsson received a conditional sentence accompanied by daily fines totaling 14,400 kronor.

Dumpen operates by posing as minors in online chats to catch alleged sexual predators and claims its mission is to protect children from abuse. However, critics, including law enforcement and legal experts, argue Dumpen's vigilantism undermines formal investigations and poses risks of wrongful accusations that can have severe consequences, such as psychological harm and suicides. Despite numerous complaints since its launch in 2021 — about 130 to date — the Chancellor of Justice has not pursued defamation investigations against Dumpen, leaving such legal actions to individual complainants.

This verdict marks the first Swedish court ruling on defamation claims involving Dumpen, highlighting growing concerns over the balance between freedom of the press, vigilantism, and protecting individual rights. While Dumpen's representatives insist the ruling confirms their commitment rather than signaling failure, the case intensifies debate over the legality and ethical implications of their methods.