# Explain Blackmail to Me **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 2, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370 "2009-10-02T17:24:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370/21 "2009-10-05T10:59:20Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > But publishing a fact is a legal act. That depends on the jurisdiction. In Canada, for example, it can be libelous or defamatory to publish embarrassing secrets about someone even if they are true. That is, truth is not an absolute defence to libel. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370/22 "2009-10-05T11:43:46Z")
> [@solarnator](#): > > If I walk up to a person and say “I saw you kill someone” and leave. They don’t want me to tell so they have a few choices to make. Paying me off would be blackmail, even if I asked for nothing. I don’t think this is correct. The victim’s actions don’t make out the elements of the crime. The blackmailer has to demand something. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370/23 "2009-10-05T12:37:40Z")
double post ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370/24 "2009-10-05T12:58:23Z")
I read in the times, the legal way to blackmail someone. I guess it cannot be just anyone, though, someone with whom you have had dealings. You institute a lawsuit against them in such a way that the embarrassing (or illegal behavior) will inevitably come out during any deposition or trial. Their lawyer contacts your lawyer and offers to settle the suit and you accept the “settlement”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-blackmail-to-me/512370.md?page=1)