Australia moves to outlaw doxxing after hundreds of Jews targeted online

Supporters of Israel walk past cardboard cutouts representing Israeli hostages, during a protest outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, November 28, 2023. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)
Supporters of Israel walk past cardboard cutouts representing Israeli hostages, during a protest outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, November 28, 2023. (Mick Tsikas/AAP Image via AP)

Australia promises new laws to prohibit “doxxing” — the malicious publication of private details online — after hundreds of Jewish Australians had personal information spread across the web.

After details from a WhatsApp group of more than 600 Jewish-Australian academics, artists and others appeared online, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says it is time to act.

The information allegedly included names, social media accounts and photos of members, which were then spread quickly by opponents of the war in Gaza and pro-Palestinian activists.

“The recent targeting of members of the Australian Jewish community through those practices like doxxing was shocking, but sadly, this is far from being an isolated incident,” Dreyfus says in a statement.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has asked for legislation to be brought forward as part of a broader reform of privacy laws.

“The idea that in Australia someone should be targeted because of their religion… it’s just completely unacceptable,” he says.

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