The public debate on the definition of 'shoplifting' in the digital space

The public debate on the definition of 'shoplifting' in the digital space

On May 30, 2026, the issue of defining property crimes committed on the internet became a subject of lively discussion on social media. The user ConfusedFoliage, who garnered nearly 63 thousand views, presented a position distinguishing between traditional theft actions and digital fraud. According to him, while shoplifting is defined as taking merchandise from a business, illegal activity online is "just fraud" according to ConfusedFoliage.

The topic also resonated on the whatsappauntie account, where support for this claim was expressed. According to whatsappauntie, there is no doubt that concepts such as 'online shoplifting' are actually fraud ("no shit “shoplifting online” is fraud").

It appears to be a public discourse focusing on the correct legal and social terminology to describe cybercrimes against businesses. Both accounts, which represent identifiable voices from viral discourse on Twitter, agree that the use of the term 'shoplifting' in digital contexts is inaccurate and that these actions should be explicitly defined as fraud.