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The Federal Government has introduced new legislation to outlaw the practice of “doxxing,” marking a significant step forward in protecting Australians from the harmful misuse of personal information online.

According to the eSafety Commissioner, doxxing is the intentional sharing of someone’s private information—such as phone numbers, home addresses, or other personal details—without their consent.

This malicious act can lead to serious consequences, including public humiliation, identity theft, and financial fraud.

What Is Doxxing?

The term “doxxing” refers to the exposure of an individual’s private information in a public forum, typically with malicious intent. The eSafety Commissioner notes that while some perpetrators may claim they are exposing wrongdoing, doxxing is often used as a form of coercive control, especially in the context of relationships and domestic abuse.

Doxxing can have far-reaching consequences, with incidents leading to harassment, discrimination, stalking, and sometimes financial harm. It’s not just about public shaming—victims may face long-term emotional and legal impacts.

High-Profile Incidents

One of the key events prompting this legislative change was the 2023 leak of a WhatsApp group chat involving over 600 Jewish Australians. Pro-Palestinian activists shared this group’s contents online, including photos and social media links of over 100 Jewish individuals. While personal addresses and phone numbers were deliberately redacted, the act was widely condemned as an invasion of privacy and a dangerous escalation of online harassment.

This incident highlighted the urgent need for stronger regulations to safeguard against the misuse of digital platforms. Cases of doxxing occur regularly, with harmful results for those targeted.

Criminal Penalties and Next Steps

Under the proposed new laws, sharing personal data without consent in a “menacing or harassing” manner could result in up to six years of imprisonment. More severe cases of doxxing, particularly those motivated by factors like race, religion, or gender, could see offenders facing up to seven years in jail. This tougher stance is aimed at preventing the rise of technology-facilitated coercive control, a tactic often employed against women in domestic violence situations.

The legislation now awaits parliamentary approval. While the Opposition has indicated general support for outlawing doxxing, the bill is part of a broader privacy reform package, which could complicate the political process. However, the growing consensus is that these protections are crucial in the digital age.