Blogger Grace Tan seeks protection order against Xiaxue

The blogger who exposed a Singtel smear campaign is being taken to court over a Facebook row.

Ms Wendy Cheng, 30, who goes by the name of Xiaxue, made the news earlier this month after revealing how online marketing firm Gushcloud, which was employed by Singtel, had asked its bloggers to criticise rival telcos M1 and StarHub as part of a campaign last year.

Ms Grace Tan, 28, who writes about business and lifestyle issues, told The Straits Times she is seeking a protection order under the Protection of Harassment Act against Ms Cheng, and is speaking with lawyers regarding a lawsuit.

She had exchanged words with Ms Cheng in a Facebook thread on her friend's page about a Straits Times story on the subject earlier this month.

Referring to Nuffnang, the online marketing agency which manages Ms Cheng, Ms Tan wrote: "Funny how NN's young bloggers make the same mistakes but can get away with it."

They subsequently exchanged more comments online.

Ms Tan said she has served court papers and a hearing has been scheduled for next month, although she would not say when.

The Protection of Harassment Act, passed last year, seeks to curb online harassment.

Earlier this year, Ms Cheng took out a protection order against the satirical Facebook page, SMRT Ltd (Feedback), for harassment.

Ms Cheng told The Straits Times: "I am reserving my comments for now, as the case is still pending judgment."

limyihan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 31, 2015.
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