Law Council warns anti-doxxing laws could have 'chilling effect'
The Albanese government wants to create new civil penalties for doxxing, but there are growing concerns that its "overly broad" definition could capture public interest journalism.
The Law Council of Australia has warned the Australian government its proposed anti-doxxing laws could have a “chilling effect on disclosures that are in the public interest” and that many existing laws may already address the problem it is trying to fix.
The Albanese government wants to create new civil penalties for doxxing as part of new laws for serious invasions of privacy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to bring forward the laws in February after activists published the names and details of almost 600 Jewish writers, artists and academics.
Capital Brief has previously reported on widespread concerns that Labor’s broad working definition of doxxing — the intentional online exposure of an individual’s identity, private information or personal details without their consent — will result in unintended consequences.
