Australia to crackdown on doxing, hate speech

Government finalizing plans to combat online harassment, strengthen privacy laws

Gizem Nisa Cebi |13.02.2024 - TRT

ISTANBUL

Australia announced significant measures Tuesday to strengthen privacy laws and combat online harms like sharing someone’s personal information without the person’s consent, known as doxing, and hate speech.

Attorney General Mark Dreyfus outlined the plans and emphasized the urgency of protecting Australians in the digital realm with bolstered privacy protections. He also highlighted recent incidents targeting the Australian Jewish community.

The proposed reforms to the Privacy Act aim to provide stronger legal frameworks to tackle online malice, according to a statement from the office of Australia’s top prosecutor.

Dreyfus stressed the importance of empowering regulatory bodies and collaborating with social media platforms to remove harmful content and identify perpetrators.

The plan also seeks to combat anonymous accounts engaging in malicious activities, empower regulatory bodies to address platforms facilitating doxing, and potentially incorporate measures to address online hate speech within the Religious Discrimination Bill.

While specifics are still in development, the government plans to consult stakeholders before finalizing the reforms.

The announcement has received mixed reactions, with some applauding the commitment to online safety and others expressing concerns about potential limitations on free speech.