Ecology

• The government response comes after the public release of almost 600 names and private chat logs of a WhatsApp group of Australian Jewish creative artists discussing the Israel-Hamas war.
• While we wait for new penalties for doxers under the federal Privacy Act review, understanding doxing and its harms can help.

What is doxing?

• This includes information that may put users at risk of harm, especially names, addresses, employment details, medical or financial records, and names of family members.
• The Australian government currently defines doxing as the “malicious release” of people’s private information without their consent.
• Doxing began as a form of unmasking anonymous users, trolls and those using hate speech while hiding behind a pseudonym.

Why is doxing harmful?

• In the context of the Israel-Hamas war, doxing has affected both Jewish and pro-Palestinian communities and activists in Australia and abroad.
• From a broader perspective, doxing also damages the digital ecology, reducing people’s ability to freely participate in public or even private debate through social media.
• Studies have shown doxing particularly impacts women, including those using dating apps or experiencing family violence.

What can you do to protect yourself from doxing?

• Some experts believe that the fear of punishment can help shape better online behaviours.
• And you can also protect yourself without needing to entirely withdraw from social media:

never share a home or workplace address, phone number or location, including among a private online group or forum with trusted people
restrict your geo-location settings
avoid giving details of workplaces, roles or employment on public sites not related to your work
avoid adding friends or connections on social media services of people you do not know
if you suspect you risk being doxed due to a heated online argument, temporarily shut down or lock any public profiles
avoid becoming a target by pursuing haters when it reaches a certain point. Professional and courteous engagement can help avoid the anger of those who might disagree and try to harm you.

• Employers who require their staff to have online profiles or engage with the public should provide information and strategies for doing so safely.
• Read more:
  As use of digital platforms surges, we'll need stronger global efforts to protect human rights online

Rob Cover receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

• New York, NY, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Waterfront Alliance announced that the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project is the first freshwater project to achieve WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Verification under WEDG’s Version 3.0.
• The Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project is the first freshwater project and fourteenth overall to meet WEDG’s gold standard.
• Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County is home to the last remaining natural shoreline in the state.
• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is investing $73 million for constructing shoreline stabilization structures in three locations within Illinois Beach State Park.

• But our new research shows how bats may use a “leap-frogging” motion to make their way home, something which could help conservationists in future.
• As they flit through the darkness, bats play a crucial role in the health of our ecosystems.
• This not only helps us understand how bats navigate and use their environment, but also helps in identifying and protecting their roosts.

Radio-tracking

• This arduous process involves capturing bats, attaching small radio transmitters to them before releasing them and following the signals throughout the night.
• Our team conducted a radio-tracking survey in Devon which monitored 12 greater horseshoe bats over 24 nights.
• But a bat might return more slowly, prolonging foraging, if it perceives the presence of bats beyond its current location.
• So, it is the outer bats that would drive the return as they would not be surrounded by calls.

How does this research help bats?

• One of the immediate effects of our research includes informing a measurement of the “core sustenance zone” for greater horseshoe bats.
• This is where most of their foraging occurs, so it’s important in bat ecology, conservation and construction planning.
• Should they be furthest from the roost they move back towards the bulk of the population and closer to the roost.

• Fiona Mathews receives funding from Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Devon County Council and the Natural Environment Research Council.
• She is affiliated with the UK Mammal Society, Mammal Conservation Europe, Ecotype Genetics and Ecology Search Services Ltd. Thomas Woolley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Hamburg, 31 January 2024 - MDAX-listed wind and solar park operator Encavis AG (Prime Standard, ISIN: DE0006095003, stock exchange symbol: ECV) has improved its MSCI ESG rating to AA, making it one of the leading companies in the energy sector.
• The improvement is largely due to optimisations in talent management and the consistent implementation of measures to reduce CO2 emissions.
• MSCI, one of the leading international ESG rating agencies, praises the significant progress made in the "Social" pillar, particularly highlighting Encavis' pioneering role in the further professionalisation of its talent management programme.
• MSCI ESG Ratings aim to measure a company's resilience to long-term ESG risks.