This offhand remark would likely have disappeared unnoticed if not for a doctoral student who had taken it upon himself to patrol the internet.

  The student filled out a criminal complaint form on Göring-Eckardt’s behalf and sent it to her. She signed and forwarded it to the police, setting off the first of several investigations into Vierhaus’s social media activity.

  The student had already filed complaints against Vierhaus for allegedly insulting several politicians, including Ricarda Lang, Janine Wissler, and Otto Köhler.

I'd imagine plenty of folks on X or Bluesky would rejoice in this power: avenging imagined wrongs on behalf of their political masters. Lots of illusion and little accountability, perfect for the online mob.