Meta Told To Review Policies Over Doxing Fears

The Meta Oversight Board has advised the social network to change its policy on allowing people’s addresses to be shared, even if the information is considered public.

Meta requested the advice last year, the first time it has asked the board to help define one of its policies. Follow a series of social media leaks of addresses of high-profile people.

This so-called doxing could cause real-world damage, the board warned. Doxxing refers to the disclosure of private information about people online, usually with malicious intent.

deceptive reality In November, Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she was a victim after a photograph taken outside her home, revealing her address, circulated online.

But in January, police said no action would be taken against the activists who had attacked her.

Facebook, owned by Meta, does not allow sharing of private residential information in general, unless it is already publicly available.

But in June, he asked the board to further consider the delicate reality that while potentially relevant to journalism and activism, access to such information could also put residents’ safety at risk.

malicious sharing In response, the Oversight Board issued a detailed 17-point plan and said the “publicly available” exception should no longer apply.

He also said that Meta should respond “quickly” to anyone who claims to have been doxxed, regardless of whether they had a Facebook account.

The malicious sharing of private residential addresses on social media is a serious problem that can lead to real-world harm, including stalking and harassment,” said Supervisory Board Director Thomas Hughes. Meta will not have to implement the recommendations, but must respond within 60 days.