Disclosure of private information to intimidate someone because of their profession or social role will become a criminal offense in the Netherlands. The House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of the law on Tuesday doxing prohibits. Currently, journalists, scientists, politicians and aid workers in particular suffer from intimidation after the distribution of their personal data, which can be easily retrieved through public registers. There was no penalty yet for sharing personal data.
Read also: No politician is against a law that combats ‘doxing’, but do enforcers know what to do with that kind of intimidation?
Anyone guilty of disseminating personal data for the purpose of intimidation now risks a prison sentence of one year. Because sharing private data was not punishable under current law, it was not always possible to act if, for example, the address of a public figure circulated online. All parties agree that this needs to change. However, various members of parliament have questions about law enforcement, for example how a judge determines whether someone has the aim of intimidating by sharing data.
Due to social media, doxing is becoming more and more common in the Netherlands. Personal data of entrepreneurs or homeowners can be found relatively easily via registers such as the Chamber of Commerce or the Kadaster. During the corona pandemic, the address of RIVM director Jaap van Dissel, among other things, appeared on the internet. Then Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus said in 2021 that doxing could lead to “scientists no longer being able to speak freely” and “entire families no longer feel safe at home”.