NIO Reveals Progress in Multiple Online Defamation Cases: Perpetrators Ordered to Compensate and Apologize, Some Cases Reach Final Appeal

NIO recently disclosed legal developments in multiple online defamation cases. Authorities have cracked down on a case involving AI-assisted "content rewriting" to fabricate rumors. The suspect operated over 4,000 self-media accounts, continuously publishing false and negative information about NIO’s business operations on platforms including Douyin, Kuaishou, WeChat Channels, and Xiaohongshu. These posts garnered a total of 80 million views and were allegedly intended to generate traffic and obtain illicit profits. The suspect has now been placed under criminal compulsory measures in accordance with the law. Additionally, courts have ruled that several self-media account holders committed defamation by publishing defamatory content targeting NIO: - Qiu Canhui, Wang Fang, and others, operators of the account “Baoli New Energy,” controlled a network of coordinated accounts to mass-publish false content. The first-instance court ordered them to compensate for damages and issue a public apology. - An Jianchao, operator of the account “Stock Market Musings,” repeatedly spread unverified rumors without verifying their accuracy. The related posts were reposted over one million times, and the first-instance court held him liable for defamation. - Lin Guirong, operator of the account “Auto Exposure Platform,” had long published unverified accident videos across multiple platforms, tarnishing NIO and the broader new energy vehicle industry. After losing at first instance, Lin appealed, but the appellate court upheld the original ruling. - Su Chuyuan, operator of the account “EV Talk,” has maliciously misrepresented NIO’s financial reports and attacked the company’s operations across multiple platforms since 2023. After losing at first instance and appealing, the appellate court also upheld the original judgment, requiring him to fulfill compensation and apology obligations. NIO stated it will continue using legal means to safeguard the rights and interests of the company and its users, and will periodically update the public on its legal actions.