Introduction:The owner of a well-known café in Huzhou was inexplicably embroiled in malicious rumors about "spreading AIDS," triggering local panic. This article details the incident, the outcome for the rumor-monger, and further explores the impact of online rumors on the coffee industry. It reminds readers to enjoy coffee culture rationally, assess information critically, and discern truth from falsehood.
Recently, a popular internet-famous café in Huzhou, Zhejiang, saw its female owner suddenly targeted by online rumors falsely claiming she had AIDS and had infected over a hundred people. This caused customer panic and a rush to hospitals for testing. The unfounded rumors about the café spread rapidly on social media, briefly becoming a hot local topic, disrupting public order and severely damaging the establishment’s reputation.
Faced with sudden rumors and social pressure, the café’s female owner decisively chose to report the matter to the police, hoping to restore the truth and protect her rights through legal means. The cyber security department of Huzhou Public Security Bureau swiftly launched an investigation after receiving the report and quickly identified the source of the rumors.
The investigation revealed that the instigator of the incident was a local resident, Shen Moumou. It was found that Shen had no personal connection or acquaintance with the café or its owner. She had merely overheard unverified claims during a casual chat with friends and, driven by curiosity and gossip, forwarded the unconfirmed content to a social platform group with over 400 members, leading to rapid rumor proliferation and causing great distress to the involved parties and the community.
According to Article 25 of China’s Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, anyone who spreads rumors, fabricates dangerous situations, epidemics, police reports, or otherwise deliberately disrupts public order may face detention or fines. Those with less severe cases may also be penalized with up to five days of detention or a fine of up to 500 yuan.
After verification by the police, Shen Moumou’s actions were deemed to constitute “fabricating facts to disrupt public order,” and she was consequently given an administrative detention of four days in accordance with the law. This case serves as another reminder that cyberspace is not a lawless zone, and every statement carries corresponding legal responsibility.
In fact, similar online rumors targeting the coffee industry are not uncommon. As early as 2018, a sensational article titled “Starbucks’ Biggest Scandal Exposed: Drinking Coffee Causes Cancer” went viral on WeChat Moments, causing consumer anxiety. The article took a U.S. court ruling out of context and deliberately focused on Starbucks to create panic. Later, multiple authoritative media outlets including People’s Daily and CCTV, along with food safety experts, stepped forward to debunk the rumor and clarify the facts.
Additionally, this self-media platform had long circulated unverified information such as “vitamin B2 cures diseases” and “plastic-bottled water is harmful to health,” often using clickbait headlines to pursue high traffic, drawing widespread criticism. Eventually, WeChat officials took action against the account, and the related false content was subsequently removed.
Another online rumor originating from Jinan falsely claimed that two local cafés had a customer-service staff altercation on June 21, leading to an emotional outburst where the staff member threw coffee powder. However, after verification by the Jinan Internet Joint Rumor Refutation Platform, it was confirmed that the incident never happened in the Jinan area.
In the case report, the police specifically reminded the public to maintain a rational and responsible attitude in online interactions. Spreading unverified information is not only illegal but can also lead to criminal liability in serious cases. The Huzhou café rumor incident not only highlights the harm of cyber violence but also sounds another alarm for the entire coffee industry.
As coffee lovers or professionals, in addition to savoring the aroma and complexity of a good cup of coffee, we should also develop sound information judgment skills—refusing to believe or spread unverified rumors. Only by doing so can we jointly safeguard a healthy and positive online environment, allowing coffee culture to return to its essence of taste and sharing.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
