Sharing personal details online, even with good intentions, can lead to defamation and criminal charges if information is false, says a crime expert.
PETALING JAYA: Sharing personal information of individuals on social media, commonly known as doxxing, could trigger further criminal activity if not handled prudently, said crime expert Datuk Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim.
He said even when intentions are good, such as seeking justice in cases involving scams, debt evasion or fraud, such actions remain subject to the law.
“The most basic principle before sharing any information is to ensure its authenticity. If the information is inaccurate and spread, it could amount to defamation. And when we share defamatory content, we too can be subjected to legal action.”
He said the line between seeking justice and committing a crime becomes blurred when individuals take it upon themselves to spread information without verification or confirmation from authorities.
“When something untrue is widely spread, it is no longer a social issue, it becomes a criminal offence.”
He stressed that victims of scams or fraud should first lodge reports with relevant authorities such as police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission or other agencies.
Shahul Hamid said IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail’s recent statement on doxxing highlights the growing severity of the issue and the need for a coordinated societal response.
He urged the public to exercise greater discipline and responsibility when using social media.
