https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-12/albanese-government-will-outlaw-doxxing/104340372 Skip to main content ABC News * Just In * For You * Politics * World * Business * Analysis * Sport * Lifestyle * Entertainment More Search the news, stories & people Log in * News Home + Just In + For You + Analysis + Rural + Watch Live + Health + Indigenous + Politics + Science + Elections + World + Environment + Investigations + Business + Fact Check + Local news * Sport + AFL + NRL + Football + Tennis + Cricket + Netball * Lifestyle + Wellbeing + Relationships & Family + Food & Recipes + Personal Finance + Home & Garden * Entertainment + TV & Movies + Books + Music + Pop Culture + Arts Your ABC Account Personalise the news and stay in the know Log in to personalise * Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * Twitter * Emergency * Backstory * Newsletters * Zhong Wen Xin Wen * BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA * TOK PISIN * ABC * ABC iView * ABC Listen * Triple J * ABC Kids * ABC News ABC News News Home Federal government to outlaw doxxing, impose up to seven years' jail for malicious sharing of personal data Share Federal government to outlaw doxxing, impose up to seven years' jail for malicious sharing of personal data By political reporter Nicole Hegarty * Topic:Internet Culture 3h ago3 hours agoWed 11 Sep 2024 at 7:07pm A person's hands are illuminated by the pale glow of a computer screen, as they type in a dark room. Display caption Doxxing became a national issue of focus this year after hundreds of Jewish people had their information published. (Reuters: Samantha Sais) In short: A new criminal offence for the malicious release of personal data online, known as doxxing, will impose a maximum penalty of seven years' jail. It follows the personal details of hundreds of Jewish Australians being published online. What's next? The government will also introduce its hate speech bill to parliament, but it is not expected to be as strong as initially proposed. abc.net.au/news/albanese-government-will-outlaw-doxxing/104340372 Link copied ShareShare article The malicious release of personal data online, known as doxxing, would be outlawed and attract up to seven years in jail under new legislation being introduced to federal parliament on Thursday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to outlaw the practice after the details of a private WhatsApp group involving hundreds of Jewish Australians were published online in February. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will unveil the details of the new offence as part of broader reforms that he says will bring the Privacy Act into the digital age. "Australians have got the right to have their privacy respected and when they're asked to hand over their personal data they have a right to expect it will be respected," he said. An older man in a suit with glasses looks serious in front of a dark blue curtain. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says the reform will help modernise Australia's privacy laws. (ABC News: Matt Roberts) "This is an act that was passed in 1988. In many, many ways it's just not fit for the digital age. "The malicious release of personal data online is something that ought to be criminalised." The bill will impose a maximum six years' imprisonment for publishing private details such as names, addresses and numbers, with the intent of causing harm. That will be increased to seven years where a person or group is targeted on the basis of their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, disability, nationality or ethnic origin. Australians will also be given the right to sue for damages if they have been the victim of a serious invasion of privacy, with the creation of a new statutory tort. Mr Dreyfus said additional protections will be introduced for minors. What to do if you've been doxxed Photo shows A photo graphic of a blurred-out young male on a mobile phone sitting in front of a laptop.A photo graphic of a blurred-out young male on a mobile phone sitting in front of a laptop. For up to four weeks, Alex and his family received up to 50 food deliveries a day after his address was shared by someone he had an argument with while playing Call of Duty online. Here's what to do if, like Alex, you've been doxxed. "Children are very often not able to detect when their privacy is being invaded, when they're being manipulated in quite the way that adults can guard against those things and that's why we're looking to develop a children's online privacy code that's going to impose requirements on the social media platforms on digital providers," he said. The reforms are the first tranche of a promised modernisation of the Privacy Act with several other phases unlikely to be introduced before the federal election, due in May. Privacy advocates have called for the removal of a clause exempting small businesses with an annual turnover of $3 million or less from being required to protect personal information and disclose how it is used. That change is not included in this phase. Mr Dreyfus will also introduce the government's hate speech bill on Thursday but that legislation is expected to be weaker than the government's original proposal. Posted 3h ago3 hours agoWed 11 Sep 2024 at 7:07pm, updated 39m ago39 minutes agoWed 11 Sep 2024 at 10:20pm Share options * Copy link * Facebook * X (formerly Twitter) Top Stories 'Just tragic' -- UNRWA laments the deaths of six staffers in air strike on school LIVE Photo shows A crowd of people walking around a damaged school. A crowd of people walking around a damaged school. Teachers evacuated, school closed after 'criminal damage' in remote NT community Topic:Crime Photo shows An aerial view of a townAn aerial view of a town A Facebook page is running a 'malicious malinformation campaign', Meta says it doesn't break the rules Topic:Social Media Photo shows A screenshot of a Facebook page titled "Election News".A screenshot of a Facebook page titled "Election News". 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The towering 'eyesore' Bali is building on the 'world's most beautiful beach' Topic:Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure) Photo shows An aerial view of a beach set at the foot of grassy cliffsAn aerial view of a beach set at the foot of grassy cliffs Related stories Small businesses could soon be legally obligated to protect your personal details Topic:Federal Government Photo shows People walk through the front door of a house, past a For Lease signPeople walk through the front door of a house, past a For Lease sign 'Doxxing' could be criminalised after hundreds of Jewish Australians' names and messages published Topic:Internet Culture Photo shows The WhatsApp app logo is seen on a smartphone.The WhatsApp app logo is seen on a smartphone. 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