Nandy calls for action against ‘doxxing’ after RNLI volunteers exposed online

UK minister Lisa Nandy has pledged action against doxxing after lifeboat volunteers involved in migrant crossing rescue found their personal details posted online-a move that comes in the wake of the concerns over the safety and privacy of volunteers.

According to the culture secretary, she will strengthen the law to make doxxing that involves leaking people’s home addresses a criminal offense.

On Tuesday, Nandy summoned social media executives to a meeting to discuss online abuse but she called social media platform X a disgrace for not turning up.

Nandy in a conversation with BBC Breakfast said was deeply shocked by the hikes of RNLI volunteers, police workers, social workers and journalists through the releasing of their private records. During her discussion with social media platforms she said she found arbitrary enforcement from them on doxxing material.

She further clarified that the government will act immediately where people's addresses are being published online, and that required action has to be taken rapidly.

On the contrary, Nandy has also criticized the glacial pace of progress with enforcement of the Online Safety Act-the government's internet safety act as she called for regulator Ofcom to take action immediately. She further underlined the crucial challenges with enforcing the Act noting that two penalties had already been issued to companies yet no financial penalties have been remitted.