The "iNews" story is a relatively tame example of the dynamics at play. Sadly, far more serious and predatory cases of neighbor blackmail make headlines. These real-world cases show the devastating, and often violent, reality when blackmail is used to exploit, control, and destroy lives:
Forcing a character to navigate a situation where another individual holds leverage creates suspense, driving the player or reader to see how the power struggle resolves. blackmailing my neighbor v20240802 completed hot
Sometimes, directly talking to your neighbor about the issue can resolve things amicably. Approach the conversation calmly and try to focus on the specific behavior or action causing the problem. The "iNews" story is a relatively tame example