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The Delhi High Court recently issued an order to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to remove content disclosing private and professional details of a woman. However, the court clarified that the case did not constitute doxxing as the information was publicly available. Despite this, Indian law lacks a clear definition or statutory offense for doxxing.
Doxxing, as defined by the International Encyclopedia of Gender, Media, and Communication, involves the unauthorized disclosure of an individual’s private information online, often with malicious intent. This includes personal details such as phone numbers, addresses, and identification numbers, leading to potential harassment, stalking, and real-life threats.
Doxxers employ various methods to gather information, including IP addresses, social media profiles, data brokers, phishing campaigns, and intercepting internet traffic. Victims are advised to document evidence and report incidents to law enforcement, cybercrime authorities, or relevant social media platforms.
While Facebook’s parent company, Meta, addresses privacy violations without explicitly using the term “doxxing,” X (Twitter) allows users to report instances of it. X imposes penalties, including account suspension, for disseminating private information. Additionally, users are encouraged to secure their accounts and consider changing personal information if at risk.
Although no specific law addresses doxxing in India, existing legislation covers related offenses such as voyeurism, dissemination of explicit content, defamation, and online stalking. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, excludes publicly available personal data from its scope.
Victims of doxxing can file complaints at cybercrime police stations or online portals anonymously. Despite the absence of dedicated laws, avenues for recourse exist within existing legal frameworks.
Reports by UN Women and The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) highlight the prevalence of online violence against women globally. Regional variations exist, with alarming rates observed in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
The rise of doxxing underscores the urgent need for robust legal frameworks and proactive measures by both platforms and authorities to safeguard individuals’ privacy and security online. Awareness, reporting mechanisms, and collaborative efforts are essential in combating this form of digital harassment and ensuring a safer online environment for all.
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