A simple internet search of the term ‘cancel culture’ produces a series of daily stories on how online shaming has impacted an increasing number of individuals and companies, raising new social and legal questions. The term refers to the practice of withdrawing support or completely rejecting public figures or companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive, namely expressed through social media in the form of group shaming. This modern form of ostracism against someone who is ‘canceled’ depends, above all, on a judgement made in the court of public opinion. Unlike courts within a legally well-established judicial system, courts of public opinion rely on trends and opinions which may or may not be grounded in factual evidence.

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