Doxxing investigation leads to first arrest
Victorian Police have made a significant breakthrough in their investigation into the mass doxxing of Jewish creatives in February, arresting a Melbourne woman accused of making threats against one of the victims.
Daniel Aghion
The incident, which saw the personal details of over 500 Jewish community members leaked online, has been under investigation since February and sparked widespread outrage and calls for tougher anti-doxxing laws.
A spokeswoman for Victorian Police confirmed that detectives from the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit arrested and interviewed a 34-year-old Preston woman. While she is not accused of being involved in the original leak or its dissemination, she is alleged to have made threats against a Jewish creative after becoming aware of their home address. The woman is expected to appear at Heidelberg Magistrate’s Court in December, where charges are likely to be laid.
The February leak saw activists circulate names, addresses, workplaces, and photographs of hundreds of Jewish creatives, sourced from a private WhatsApp group. The details were used to target individuals associated with pro-Israel positions. The practice of doxxing, prior to proposed legal reforms, did not constitute a specific criminal offence under Australian law, although some Jewish leaders argued it could breach laws against using a carriage service to menace or harass.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus proposed anti-doxxing reforms in September, which, if enacted, would criminalise the malicious release of personal details and impose penalties of up to six years’ imprisonment. The federal government’s proposed laws would not be applied retrospectively. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry welcomed the proposals, describing doxxing as a “shameful and dangerous practice” and commending the government’s action in addressing it.
“We look forward to working with the government to ensure the full extent of the harm caused is understood and that the new laws effectively protect Australians from this shameful and dangerous practice,” council president Daniel Aghion told media.
In response to the proposed legislation, author Clementine Ford, who was one of several activists who posted links to the leaked information, said that it shouldn’t be considered doxxing. “This chat demonstrated extremely organised moves to punish Palestinian activists and their allies,” Ford posted on Instagram.
The arrest highlights the growing societal challenges surrounding online harassment and the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Australian communities. Tensions have been further exacerbated by public protests, including the disruption of Myer’s Melbourne Christmas windows event. The protest group Disrupt Wars claimed the action was necessary to draw attention to alleged genocide in Palestine. Their actions were condemned by Premier Jacinta Allan, who accused the group of politicising a children’s event.
Victorian Police’s investigation follows complaints made to the Australian Federal Police by several of the victims, who provided information about an individual alleged to be central to the February doxxing. The AFP continues to investigate the case, with its intelligence unit focusing on “Person X” and their role in the dissemination of private information.
The New York Times confirmed its journalist Natasha Frost had accessed the WhatsApp chat for reporting purposes but denied involvement in its misuse, which allegedly occurred after the information was passed to others.
This arrest marks a pivotal moment in efforts to address doxxing and other online hate crimes in Australia. As federal investigations continue, the legal system’s ability to respond to the rising prevalence of these offences will be closely scrutinised by advocates and the broader community.
