New York Times Reporter Disciplined for Leaking Personal Information of Jewish Business Owners

A New York Times reporter in Australia has come under fire for leaking the identities of Jewish professionals in a private WhatsApp group, leading to widespread harassment and vandalism. The group was formed in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis. The leak, which occurred earlier this year, was reported by The Wall Street Journal and involved the sharing of 900 pages of content from the group, which included around 600 members. Natasha Frost, the reporter based in Melbourne, admitted to sharing the information with one individual, who subsequently disseminated it without her consent. This breach of privacy resulted in the personal details of group members being posted online by pro-Palestinian activists, leading to threats and harassment that have persisted for months. Frost expressed her shock and regret over the incident, stating that it put her and others at significant risk. The New York Times has acknowledged the situation, confirming that disciplinary action was taken against Frost. The newspaper claimed it was unaware of her actions prior to the leak. The fallout from the incident has been severe, with many affected individuals facing threats, job losses, and even displacement from their homes due to the harassment. In response to the growing antisemitism and the doxxing incident, Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus has proposed legislation aimed at criminalizing doxxing, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures in the current climate.