Opinion: To Truly Protect Data, China Must Win Its War on Doxing
By Caixin
China’s internet watchdog recently put Big Tech on notice, escalating its campaign against the pernicious online practice of doxing, known as “kaihe” in Chinese, or “unboxing.” Doxing involves exposing everything from names and ID numbers to home addresses and social media accounts — typically to incite public harassment. In a directive aimed at stemming this digital scourge, Beijing is demanding a “zero-tolerance” approach from platforms like Weibo and Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
The stakes are high, directly impacting the well-being of ordinary citizens. Doxing victims aren’t just embarrassed; they’re often subjected to relentless barrages of abuse, suffering severe psychological trauma. This online vigilantism often results in real-world despair. As a Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) official put it, illegally obtaining and publicizing personal data via “unboxing” is a criminal act of extreme malevolence. Worryingly, a cohort of tech-savvy youths has reportedly weaponized doxing to silence dissenting online voices, turning trivial disagreements into campaigns of terror. Such behavior doesn’t just poison the digital commons, it raises profound questions about the moral compass of a generation maturing in such a toxic environment.
The CAC’s latest offensive involves a multi-pronged strategy: blocking the dissemination of personal information, enhancing early warning systems, stiffening penalties and bolstering protective measures. This builds on previous, increasingly stern warnings and efforts to construct a more robust regulatory framework.
Yet, as with many online harms, legal recourse is hard to achieve. Not every doxing incident makes its way into the judicial system, and even when it does, procedural hurdles can stymie justice. For victims facing an onslaught from countless anonymous assailants, the challenges of filing complaints, gathering evidence and bearing the high costs of litigation are immense. Swift intervention to identify and shut down organized incitement or doxing services is therefore paramount.
Central to this strategy is a demand for platform accountability. The current crackdown specifically tasks internet giants with thoroughly cleansing their sites of illegally posted personal data, content that baits users into further privacy breaches, and the associated slander. Platforms are also under orders to eradicate any material that teaches, sells or offers “unboxing” methods. Self-policing is welcome, but Beijing clearly believes a sterner hand is required.
Officials are quick to assert that this heightened scrutiny isn’t designed to hobble internet platforms or curtail their growth. Rather, they argue, a web free from intimidation and abuse is foundational to the industry’s sustainable health. While unchecked growth might deliver fleeting traffic spikes, it ultimately erodes the sector’s bedrock and long-term prospects. A handful of recent, publicized penalties against major online platforms for doxing-related lapses should serve as a galvanizing moment for the entire industry to upgrade its detection, response and prevention capabilities. Key platforms are now expected to regularly publish governance reports, publicize typical cases and refer criminal leads to law enforcement.
Beyond platform responsibility, there is a need for an unequivocal societal stance against “unboxing.” Indifference is irresponsible. Actively fanning the flames can, and should, lead to legal culpability if serious harm ensues. A robust public education campaign on the legal ramifications is clearly in order.
Ultimately, the “unboxing” scourge is a symptom of a larger malaise: an environment where personal data can be too easily compromised. This crackdown offers an opportunity to fortify personal information safeguards, rigorously enforcing China’s Personal Information Protection Law. The days of rampant data collection and arbitrary trading of private details must end. Everyone is a potential victim.
Beijing’s decisive move to intensify the fight against doxing is both timely and essential. Cultivating a healthier online ecosystem demands robust regulatory mechanisms, proactive platforms that prioritize long-term industry health over short-term engagement metrics, and internet users that are both aware of the risks and unwilling to abet such destructive behavior.
caixinglobal.com is the English-language online news portal of Chinese financial and business news media group Caixin. Global Neighbours is authorized to reprint this article.
Image: igor.nazlo – stock.adobe.com