Utility

What Is Doxxing? What Are Policies Against The Same In Indian Law Books; Deets Inside

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.

Understanding 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.

Methods and Prevention of Doxxing

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.

Platform Policies on Doxxing

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.

Legal Framework in India

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.

Addressing Doxxing Incidents

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.

Global Insights on Online Violence

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.

Also Read: Natural Solar Eclipse Complete, Artificial Eclipse Next to Forecast Geomagnetic Solar Storms

Srishti Verma

Recent Posts

OpenAI Launches ‘OpenAI Academy India’ To Boost AI Education Nationwide

OpenAI, in collaboration with the Indian government’s IndiaAI mission, launched its first international educational platform…

6 hours ago

Mahua Moitra Confirms Marriage To Former BJD MP Pinaki Misra

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday confirmed her marriage to senior advocate and former…

7 hours ago

PM Modi Launches ‘Aravali Green Wall’ Project On World Environment Day

PM Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the ambitious ‘Aravali Green Wall’ project by planting a…

7 hours ago

Dassault And Tata To Manufacture Rafale Fuselages In India By 2028

French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has signed four agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)…

7 hours ago

PM Modi Emphasises Indian Railways’ Role In Building A Greener Future

On the occasion of World Environment Day, PM Narendra Modi underscored the crucial role of…

7 hours ago

AIIMS Delhi, IIT Delhi To Establish Center Of Excellence For AI In Healthcare

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi…

7 hours ago