a The New York Times A Melbourne-based reporter leaked the personal information of more than 600 Australian Jewish members of a WhatsApp group in early 2024, news outlets have reported. The New York Times Statement and The Wall Street Journal investigation. The New York Times The company announced it would take legal action against journalist Natasha Frost after she admitted to the data leak.
The data was then spread online, leading to mass doxxing, blackmail and harassment of the group’s members by pro-Palestinian activists.
Frost reportedly downloaded and shared 900 pages of content from a private WhatsApp group set up by several Australian Jews in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, and which became a “lifeline” for its members. New York Post and The Wall Street Journal I will report.
In the incident, which occurred in February, a list called “Zio600” was created and used to threaten people in a WhatsApp group, the report said. Jewish Telegraphic AgencyAt that time y.
Pro-Palestinian activists posted the names, photos and social media pages of many of the group’s 600 members, prompting online and in-person harassment, intimidation and vandalism. The Wall Street Journal He said.
Jewish Independent A Jewish family in Melbourne was reported to have had to close their shop and go into hiding after receiving a message with a picture of their child attached saying “we know where you live”. Their shop was vandalised.
A Jewish high school teacher in Melbourne received threats in phone calls to her school accusing her of “participating in genocide.” The Wall Street Journal According to reports, the woman had installed security cameras in her home after receiving threats.
Alex Livchin, co-chief executive officer of the Australian Jewish Council, said in a statement at the time that the list was reminiscent of those compiled by the Nazis when they tried to murder European Jews.
NYT reporter’s response
Frost acknowledged that he shared the information with an individual before it was distributed and made public online. The Wall Street Journal.
A spokesperson for The New York Times It said “appropriate action” had been taken against Mr Frost.
“We, The New York Times “It is a clear ethical breach when a reporter inappropriately shares information with a subject in order to assist that subject with a personal matter,” she said. “This was done without the subject’s knowledge or permission. Times.”
Frost responded to the accusations against her: The Wall Street Journalsaid she shared the document with another person, who then distributed and misused it “without her knowledge or consent.”
“I was shocked by these events which put me and so many others at great risk,” she said. “I deeply regret my decision.”
of Jerusalem Post cShe confirmed that her profile is still listed on the NYT website, but her contact details appear to have been removed.
Laws regarding the disclosure of personal information
Doxxing is the malicious sharing of personal or identifiable details of a group or individual online without their consent. It is not yet illegal in Australia, but some measures have been put in place to protect victims. In response to this incident, the Australian government announced that it would consider amending privacy laws. In March 2024, the government began discussing proposed civil reforms to address the practice of doxxing.
Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss has introduced legislation to ban personal data leaks. Christophe Schmon, international policy director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties nonprofit, said the case could spur new laws to make personal data leaks illegal. The United States has no such federal law.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about the case in an interview on 2GB radio in February, saying he had asked the attorney-general to introduce legislation.
This is not a WhatsApp group with strong political content. [it was] “In response to the rise in anti-Semitism, we have set up a WhatsApp group to support each other,” Mr Albanese said.
“In Australia, the idea that anyone should be targeted because of their religion or belief – whether they’re Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic or Buddhist – is completely unacceptable.”
