Why the Jewish creatives’ WhatsApp leak was more whistleblowing than doxing

The leak of a WhatsApp chat group called “Jewish Australian creatives and academics” has sparked a debate on doxing in Australia. While the group was initially formed as a supportive space, some conversations focused on challenging media critiques of Israel. The leakers claim that they acted in the public interest because they believed the chat group was coordinating actions against pro-Palestinian activists. In response, the Australian government is seeking to criminalize doxing and introduce jail terms for offenders. However, there are questions about whether this leak can be classified as doxing based on the government’s own definition. The leaked information reportedly included chat transcripts, links to social media accounts, and photographs, but the leakers claim they removed any details that could be used to track individuals or invade their privacy. Unlike other high-profile doxing incidents, such as the #ThotAudit campaign targeting sex workers, this leak did not include personal contact information or private photographs. Some argue that this leak is more akin to whistleblowing rather than doxing, as it reveals potentially immoral activities within the group. The intent behind the leak is also up for debate, with some suggesting it was politically motivated rather than malicious. The release of the chat content suggests a political reason behind the leak, which blurs the line between doxing and political leaks. While there were harms associated with the leak, such as harassment and death threats towards members of the chat group, these should be addressed under existing anti-harassment legislation. Banning doxing without a clear definition could have unintended consequences, potentially leading to further crackdowns on political activities and undermining accountability.