Facebook should guard against revealing private addresses, board recommends

Facebook and Instagram should tighten privacy rules to protect against the revealing of private residential addresses and images online, known as doxxing, according to the independent body that decides if content should be on the social media platforms.

However, the board said Meta should allow the publication of addresses and imagery of official residences provided to high-ranking government officials, such as heads of state to allow the organisation of protests at official residences.

Victims of doxing, include journalists, abortion providers and celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson, Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga.

Among its other recommendations, the board proposes that Meta create a communications channel for victims of doxing and give users more control over how they consent to sharing their private residential information.

It would also no longer allow content if it contains residential addresses or imagery from financial records or statements of an organisation, court records, professional and business licenses, sex offender registries or press releases from government agencies, or law enforcement, the board added.

The board also said Meta should allow the publication of addresses and imagery of official residences provided to high-ranking government officials, such as heads of state, heads of federal or local government, ambassadors and consuls to allow the organisation of protests at publicly owned official residences.

Meta declined to comment.