February 26, 2024

#98 Droppin' docs - A primer on doxing

27 minutes

This week we go deep on doxing, the practice of "dropping docs" on someone in order to expose their information to a hostile digital audience.

Our conversation is triggered by some recent doxing examples in the Australian media, which has prompted the Federal Government to propose a new law against dxxing as part of its privacy reform agenda.

We discuss the origins of doxing, prominent examples, the potential harms, and the merits of various public policy approaches.

Links:

Explainer on doxing (eSafety Commissioner) https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/tech-trends-and-challenges/doxing
Article about proposed Australian laws (SMH) https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/doxxers-on-notice-they-will-face-jail-time-under-new-laws-20240216-p5f5ha.html
Article about Elon Musk's doxing claim (APNews) https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-technology-business-5bf13ebcd0bfa4995099bb44c72da944
Article about US abortion providers being doxed (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL8N39E8D3/#:~:text=%22The%20records%20are%20published%20on,%2C%22%20said%20Hecht%2DFelella.
Gamergate explainer (Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamergate_(harassment_campaign)
Article about Oliver Sipple and doxing in general (WIRED https://www.wired.com/2012/10/truth-lies-doxxing-internet-vigilanteism/
Radiolab podcast about Oliver Sipple https://radiolab.org/podcast/oliver-sipple
Osman Faruqi article on his doxing experience (ABC) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-22/doxxing-the-new-weapon-of-choice-for-trolls/10833428
Writeup on statutory tort for serious invasion of privacy (Law Council) https://lawcouncil.au/media/media-releases/law-council-supports-statutory-tort-for-serious-invasion-of-privacy
Article on Hong Kong anti-doxxing law (ABC) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-30/hong-kong-doxxing-laws-pass-legislature/100502260