New Laws to Combat Intimidation Tactic
The Australian government has announced its intention to make doxxing illegal after a group of pro-Palestinian activists disclosed personal details of hundreds of Jewish individuals in Australia. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus revealed that the proposed legislation would involve sending take-down notices to social media platforms and imposing fines to deter this harmful practice.
Response to Recent Incidents
The decision comes in the wake of reports by Nine Entertainment news that detailed how personal information, including names, images, professions, and social media accounts, of Jewish people in academia and the creative fields were made public by pro-Palestinian activists. The leaked information originated from a private WhatsApp group of Jewish writers, artists, musicians, and academics, as reported by Nine newspapers.
Government’s Stance
Dreyfus emphasized the need to strengthen protections against hate speech in Australia, especially in the face of increasing instances of online harm such as doxxing. The Attorney-General, who is of Jewish descent, highlighted the alarming trend of targeting members of the Australian Jewish community through malicious practices like doxxing.
Definition and Reaction
Defined as the intentional exposure of an individual’s private information without consent, doxxing has sparked concerns about online safety and privacy. While experts like Nigel Phair support the government’s initiative, questions remain about the practicality of enforcing such laws and the role of social media companies in combatting this issue.
Community Support
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has welcomed the government’s move to outlaw doxxing and expressed a commitment to collaborate in protecting Australians from the harmful effects of this practice. With concerns about the rise of antisemitism in Australia following recent events, the new legislation aims to safeguard individuals from online harassment and intimidation.