14 DAY TRIAL // The Epilepsy Foundation has decided to file a formal criminal complaint after its official Twitter account was spammed with content supposed to trigger seizures in people with epilepsy.
In a press release published on December 16, the foundation notes that the attacks used both its Twitter handle and hashtags to point users to flashing or strobing lights, which are known as potential triggers of seizures in those with photosensitive epilepsy.
Approximately 3% of the people with epilepsy could suffer seizures when exposed to flashing lights, according to official statistics.
The foundation emphasizes that the attacks happened during the National Epilepsy Awareness Month, which is the time of year when most people suffering from epilepsy are likely to follow its Twitter account.
Aggravated assault
“These attacks are no different than a person carrying a strobe light into a convention of people with epilepsy and seizures, with the intention of inducing seizures and thereby causing significant harm to the participants,” Allison Nichol, Esq., director of legal advocacy for the Epilepsy Foundation, explains.
“The fact that these attacks came during National Epilepsy Awareness Month only highlights their reprehensible nature. The Foundation is fully cooperating with law enforcement and intends to utilize all available avenues to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.”
The Epilepsy Foundation also reminds of a similar case that involved author Kurt Eichenwald, who suffered a seizure after someone sent a GIF with strobing lights along with a message “You deserve a seizure for your posts.” The reaction came after Eichenwald published a political comment criticizing US President Donald Trump, with his wife then confirming that the GIF caused him an eight-minute seizure.
“I have your information and have called the police to report the assault,” the wife tweeted to the Twitter user who posted the GIF. The 32-year-old attacker is now expected to plead guilty to aggravated assault, according to the Daily Mail.