The Australian government has announced plans to outlaw doxxing, following the publication of personal details of hundreds of Jewish people in Australia by pro-Palestinian activists. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus stated that the proposed laws, which are yet to be drafted, would involve issuing take-down notices to social media platforms and imposing fines for this intimidation tactic. The government's response came after Nine Entertainment news reports revealed that pro-Palestinian activists had released the names, images, professions, and social media accounts of Jewish individuals working in academia and the creative industries.

The leaked information originated from a private WhatsApp group formed by Jewish writers, artists, musicians, and academics. The nearly-900 page transcript of the group's conversations was accompanied by a spreadsheet containing personal details of almost 600 people, allegedly the group's membership. Pro-Palestinian activists, including author Clementine Ford, shared links to this leaked information, arguing that it should not be considered doxxing. Ford claimed that the chat demonstrated organized efforts to target Palestinian activists and their allies.

Attorney-General Dreyfus emphasized that the new laws would strengthen Australian protections against hate speech but provided limited details on their implementation. He expressed concern about the increasing use of online platforms to harm individuals through practices like doxxing. Dreyfus, who is Jewish himself, described the recent targeting of the Australian Jewish community through doxxing as shocking but not isolated. Reports of antisemitism have risen in Australia since Israel's conflict with Hamas began in October.

The Australian government's online safety watchdog defines doxxing as the intentional online exposure of an individual's identity or personal details without their consent. Dreyfus echoed this definition, describing doxxing as the malicious release of personal information without consent. He emphasized the importance of protecting Australia's vibrant multicultural community.

The government's plan to outlaw doxxing received support from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which represents the country's Jewish community. Council president Daniel Aghion welcomed the initiative and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the government to understand the extent of the harm caused and ensure effective protection against this practice.

While the idea of a law against doxxing was applauded by Monash University cybersecurity expert Nigel Phair, he raised concerns about enforcement. Phair highlighted the difficulties faced by policing agencies in accessing the necessary data, suggesting that social media companies bear the responsibility. He also noted that law enforcement agencies are already overwhelmed with online investigations and lack the additional resources needed for integrated work with social media platforms.

Overall, the Australian government's decision to outlaw doxxing is a response to the malicious release of personal information targeting Jewish individuals. While there is support for this initiative, concerns remain regarding the enforcement of such laws and the cooperation of social media companies in combating this harmful practice.