A rental listing by Wills Property has sparked controversy after the agency publicly disclosed personal information about individuals who left negative reviews. This backlash originated from a rental ad for a three-bedroom flat that gained attention on social media due to its unusual conditions.

These conditions required tenants to help maintain the childcare center located below and prohibited them from entering or exiting the apartment during its operational hours.

Alyssa Hardy, an emergency health worker, left a negative review after seeing the listing online. Although she had no prior dealings with Wills Property, her aim was to raise public awareness. Shortly after posting, she received a response from the agency that referenced her employer and hinted at legal action.

“I think they were trying to intimidate me,” Alyssa said, noting that Wills Property also reached out to her on social media.

The situation escalated as Wills Property began contacting other critics, including reaching out to their workplaces and partners via LinkedIn and Instagram. Reddit user Cords9836 described feeling violated after the agency contacted their partner about a discussion on the listing.

In a statement, Wills Property director John Wills noted that the agency had received personal threats since the listing went viral and had notified the police. However, the police have yet to confirm any related reports.

Legal and ethics experts commented on the situation, emphasizing that while sharing publicly available information isn’t illegal, it could be perceived as intimidation. Demi Swain, a senior associate at a law firm, stated that negative reviews are protected under freedom of speech if based on factual experiences.

This incident highlights a troubling trend of digital vigilantism, where individuals retaliate against businesses seen as unjust. However, the ethical implications of exposing personal information as a form of social punishment are complex and could lead to serious repercussions.

Hugh Breakey, an ethicist at Griffith University, warned that once personal information is shared online, its impact can be unpredictable: “You can’t control how impactful that information ultimately becomes.”

In October 2023, several university students in the US faced backlash and harassment after signing an open letter supporting Palestine, illustrating the potential dangers of online exposure.

Wills Property expressed regret over the situation’s escalation but maintains that their response was necessary due to the threats received, while continuing to face scrutiny over their handling of the criticism.