X Hacking and Harassment Targets Journalist Benazir Shah
On June 23, 2024, Benazir Shah, the editor of ‘Geo Fact Check,’ found her X account, formerly Twitter, compromised following her comments on a blasphemy case. The cyber attack spiraled into severe online harassment instigated by followers of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Shah endured a distressing invasion of privacy as hackers altered her profile image and used her account to disseminate irrelevant posts about Bitcoin and Tesla.
The harassment campaign was characterized by abusive and misogynistic threats. Shah’s account was restored on June 26 with assistance from digital rights activists, an outcome she publicly announced on her restored X account.
The Coalition for Women in Journalism —Women Press Freedom organization expressed deep concern over the persistent assaults and intimidation Shah faced, especially considering her advocacy for minority protections in Punjab. They called for an urgent investigation and protective measures by authorities, emphasizing the need for social media platforms like X to improve their response to harassment and abuse.
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