Jewish creatives threatened by WhatsApp leak
- Members of a private Jewish WhatsApp group were doxxed and harassed after a New York Times reporter leaked its contents.
- Jewish creatives are considering legal action against the New York Times for the privacy breach.
- The incident highlights the risks of private information being shared without consent and the impact on targeted communities.
A group of approximately 25 Jewish professionals is contemplating a class-action lawsuit against The New York Times after a journalist leaked the identities of members from a private WhatsApp group. The group, which included around 600 members, was targeted by anti-Israel activists following the leak, leading to harassment and threats against its members. Jeremy Leibler, head of the Zionist Federation of Australia, stated that the doxxing has severely impacted the mental health and employment of those affected, prompting the exploration of all legal avenues. The controversy centers around journalist Natasha Frost, who reportedly shared a download of the WhatsApp group chat with a subject of her story, violating ethical guidelines. The Times acknowledged that Frost's actions were inappropriate and took disciplinary measures against her, although she remains employed. Leibler expressed that Frost's breach of trust resulted in significant harm, suggesting that she should lose her job. The WhatsApp group was formed in October, shortly before the October 7 Hamas attacks, and discussions within the group included mobilizing against Antoinette Lattouf, an Australian journalist criticized for her views on Israel. Following the leak, members reported experiencing harassment, vandalism of businesses, and death threats. Victoria police are investigating the situation, although they do not consider the initial sharing of the chat logs a criminal offense. As the investigation continues, the affected individuals are grappling with the fallout from the incident, which has raised serious concerns about privacy and journalistic ethics.