The behavior of online reward-based reporting of information refers to the public and private entities, other than the public security organs that lawfully issue rewards, publicly publishing civil reward advertisements through the internet. It encourages the general public to provide information related to specific individuals' misconduct, violations, infractions, illegal activities, and crimes, with the main content of the information being valid clues or evidence that can hold the corresponding responsibilities accountable. The purpose is to expose various improper words and actions of the specific target, leading to corresponding disciplinary and moral condemnations. Currently, there are no specific legal provisions prohibiting this behavior. However, this behavior can be essentially characterized as "online vigilante justice." While it has the positive effect of encouraging public participation in solving social problems, assisting relevant authorities in combating corruption and evil, and promoting the maintenance of public order, it is prone to fall into the ethical fallacy trap. It may condone and encourage malicious tracking, harassment, envy, slander, personal vendettas, or social exclusion, thereby facilitating attacking behaviors. Furthermore, due to its inherent "public shaming" and "informant" culture, it can lead to a tense and terrifying social atmosphere on a macro level, seriously infringing upon individuals' personal rights and interests. It is necessary to pay attention to striking a balance between ethical frameworks and legal regulations, promptly establish relevant norms, fill in legal gaps, and remain vigilant against the fusion of such behavior with illicit practices such as sensationalism and manipulation.

Xiaoxuan Li. Legal boundaries and ethical dilemmas of online reward-based reporting of information. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2023) Vol. 6, Issue 17: 144-152. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2023.061725.

[1] Liu Ying, Sang Biao, and Gong Shaoying, "Cultural Differences in the Inhibition of Emotional Expression," Advances in Psychological Science, No. 10, 2016, pp. 1647-1654. 

[2] Philip Zimbardo and Michael Lipe. Attitude Change and Social Impact, translated by Deng Yu, Xiao Li and Tang Xiaoyan, People's Posts and Telecommunications Press, 2018, pp. 86-99. 

[3] Fu Lin, "The Complementary Role of Human Flesh Search Private Relief to Public Power", Learning Forum, No. 5, 2017, pp. 75-80. 

[4] Peng Z , Shanshan W , School B ,et al.Inheritance and Wealth Inequality in China[J].Economic Review, 2015.

[5] Liu Hongrin. "The Development Trend and Effective Application of Online Public Opinion Supervision", Journal of the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, No. 3, 2017, pp. 74-82.  

[6] Zhou Qiang. "Report of the Supreme People's Court on the Work of the People's Courts in Resolving "Enforcement Difficulties" - Speech at the Sixth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress on October 24, 2018", Supreme People's Court - Court Information - Highlights, October 24, 2018, https.//www.court.gov.cn/zixun-xiangqing-124841.html. Accessed 20 June 2023. 

[7] Tianjin Jinnan Court. "'Bounty Hunter' Provides Clues, Judge Arrests "Lao Lai Couple" Vehicle", NetEase-Jingfa Net Affairs, July 16, 2019, https.//www.163.com/dy/article/EJT9Q60L0514QH2U.html, accessed June 20, 2023. 

[8] Wang Lei. "On Bounty Reporting as a Tool for Information Regulation", Journal of Dalian University of Technology (Social Science Edition), No. 1, 2018, pp. 72-81. 

[9] Ying Feihu and Tu Yongqian, "Information Tools in Public Regulation", Social Sciences in China, No. 4, 2010, pp. 116-131, 222-223. 

[10] Pei Xiaoxing. "'Bounty Advertising' Should Not Infringe on Privacy", originally published in Beijing Daily, People's Daily, May 23, 2018, http.//it.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0523/c1009-30007105.html, viewed on June 17, 2023. 

[11] Friedrich Baulsen. The System of Ethics, translated by He Huaihong and Liao Shenbai, Commercial Press, 2021, p. 397. 

[12] Yang Huimin and Chen Jinping, "The Moral Imagination of Online Opinion Leaders. Connotation, Characteristics and Value", Academia, No. 6, 2020, pp. 140-148.

[13] Tang Jing. "The Historical Paradox of Idealism and Group Violence," Journal of Southeast University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), No. 2, 2008, pp. 116-118, 125.

[14] Yao Mingbin, "The Reconstitution of the "Contract Theory" of Bounty Advertising. Focusing on the Coordinated Application of the General Sub-Rules of the Civil Code", Law and Business Research, No. 3, 2021, pp. 107-119. 

[15] Zhang Fei. "The 93-day Didi 1 million bounty finally arrived! Rescue Team. Not for Money and Not for Name!" published on the official account of Henan Metropolitan Channel, September 7, 2018, https.//baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1610955375305313781&wfr=spider&for=pc, accessed June 26, 2023.

[16] Liu Han, "The Right to Privacy, Freedom of Expression and Chinese Netizen Culture. The Regulatory Dilemma of Human Doxing", Sino-Foreign Law Journal, No. 4, 2011, pp. 870-879.

[17] Song Kai and Yuan Huanqing, "Netizens' Emotional Communication from the Perspective of Post-truth", Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China), No. 8, 2019, pp. 146-150.

[18] Paul Samuelson and William Nordhow. Economics (18th Edition), translated by Xiao Chen, People's Posts and Telecommunications Press, 2008, p. 5.

[19] Nannan Zhao, "Social Contradiction from the Perspective of Modal Synthesis Fallacy. An Analysis of Elster's "Social Contradiction" Theory", Journal of Chongqing University (Social Science Edition), No. 5, 2015, pp. 160-164.

[20] Guo Ying. "The "Whistleblower Culture" in Ancient China", Jianghan Forum, No. 4, 1998, pp. 24-28.

[21] Friedrich Hayek, The Road to Serfdom, translated by Teng Weizao and Zhu Zongfeng, Commercial Press (Hong Kong) 2020, pp. 14-15.