Injunction granted after abusive Cook tweets

An injunction has been granted against an anonymous Twitter user posting critical comments against Thomas Cook.

An injunction has been granted against an anonymous Twitter user posting critical comments against Thomas Cook.


The company believes a disgruntled employee is the source of the tweets, posting internal company memos online as well as allegations about its business position.


The person responsible for the tweets was warned that they face jail unless they end the abusive campaign.


The Twitter account ‘TCXrated’ has been deleted but records of some of its older tweets, dating back to May, have remained in circulation online.


Lawyers for Thomas Cook asked for an injunction at the High Court in London on Friday ordering the Twitter user to reveal their name and address and to stop making disparaging remarks.


The order was granted and will be served via Twitter, according to the Daily Telegraph.


Matthew Richardson, for Thomas Cook Airlines, told the court: “Recently a person or persons unknown have set up and begun to operate a Twitter account registered in the name @TCXrated.


“The Twitter account is posting a number of unsavoury posts about Thomas Cook but also posting confidential internal memoranda and trade information.


“The nature of the posts gives us reason to suspect that @TCXrated is an employee and thus acting in breach of his contract of employment.


“There is an obvious strong underlying cause of action in breach of confidence. There is likewise a possible breach of contract if @TCXrated is an employee.


“@TCXrated is anonymous and has sought to remain so. It is submitted that the court should infer that this is a deliberate and unreasonable attempt to avoid having to answer for the action of operating the Twitter account.


“@TCXrated has deliberately sought to remain anonymous while operating the Twitter account to the detriment of Thomas Cook.


“The damage is ongoing and continues to damage Thomas Cook’s goodwill and reveal confidential commercial material.”


Mr Justice Singh granted the injunction against TCXrated and said it could be served via the site itself.


He attached a penal notice to the order, warning: “If you disobey this order you may be held in contempt of court, and may be fined, imprisoned or have your assets seized.”