The regulator is tightening sanctions for doxxing and obliging key platforms, including Weibo, Tencent, and Douyin, to crack down on such practices.
China’s top cyberspace regulator has vowed to take a zero-tolerance attitude toward doxxing by intensifying punishment and improving protective measures including comprehensive removal of personal information obtained and exposed illegally, as well as urging local cyberspace regulators and social platforms to strengthen rectification and address the disorder caused by such behavior.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) recently issued a special notice outlining specific requirements, including blocking the dissemination of information obtained by doxxing, a malicious act of publicly disclosing others’ personal information, improving early warning mechanisms, increasing the severity of punishment, enhancing protective measures, and strengthening publicity and guidance, according to a statement released by the CAC on Tuesday.
“Doxxing” is a form of online violence and criminal activity. Offenders unlawfully conduct online searches and data mining to gather personal and private information – such as names, personal photos, ID numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and social media accounts – and then publicly release this information on the internet, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.
Victims of “doxxing” often endure insults and abuse from netizens, as well as defamation and false rumors. In some instances, they are harassed in real life – such as being bombarded with calls and messages from strangers, according to CCTV.
The CAC notice urges the local cyberspace departments and online platforms intensify efforts to combat “doxxing.”
Meanwhile, key websites and platforms such as Weibo, Tencent, Douyin, Kuaishou, Baidu, Xiaohongshu, Zhihu, Bilibili, and Douban are required to implement the tasks outlined in the notice, fulfill their primary responsibilities, and resolutely crack down on “doxxing” with a zero-tolerance attitude.
According to a CAC official, the issue of “doxxing” is directly related to the vital interests of the public. In recent days, the cyberspace authorities, in line with their responsibilities, have undertaken thorough rectification efforts, comprehensively removing all types of illegal and rule-violating information related to “doxxing.”
They have strictly addressed accounts and chat groups that disseminate such content, imposed penalties on three major online platforms in accordance with legal procedures, organized key platforms to regularly release governance bulletins and disclose typical cases, and have reported clues related to illegal and criminal activities to public security authorities.
According to the CAC official, illegally obtaining and publicly disclosing others’ personal information through means such as “doxxing” constitutes a suspected criminal activity, and is of an extremely egregious nature.
Moving forward, the CAC will continue to uphold a dual approach of stringent crackdowns and enhanced protective measures, intensifying efforts to rectify issues of “doxxing.”
The CAC has committed to compelling websites and platforms to comprehensively remove all forms of illegal content that disclose personal information, address acts such as inciting users to leak private data, and to launch attacks, insults, mockery, or defamation.
Content that instructs, sells, or offers methods, tutorials, or services related to “doxxing” will also be eliminated. Any accounts or chat groups that organize, incite, or provide “doxing” services will be terminated or disbanded without exception.
The CAC also took the enhancement of protective measures, guiding platforms to build upon previous efforts in combating online violence by further upgrading and refining their protective systems. This includes strengthening risk warnings related to “doxxing,” establishing expedited reporting channels for doxxing-related incidents, promptly verifying user complaints and reports, and taking all possible steps to help users prevent and respond to the risks associated with “doxxing.”
In collaboration with relevant departments, the authorities will strictly crack down on acts of disclosing, stealing, or trading personal information, as well as the use of such information for illegal or criminal activities.
The authority also reminded the public to increase awareness of the risks of “doxxing,” strengthen personal information protection, consciously reject related behaviors, and collaborate to foster a clean and orderly online environment.
Source: Global Times
