Stalking

Stalking entails the unwanted, and often obsessive, monitoring of anther person's activities, both on and offline. Online platforms inadvertently support stalkers by providing easy access to extensive personal information. Capabilities like the ability to monitor social media profiles, track locations, and engage in unwelcome communication all help a stalker more easily track and harass their victim. The ease of accessing personal data, combined with the limited visibility that the victim has into the behavior of their stalker, amplifies the potential harm caused by stalking, as perpetrators can remain hidden while more easily invading their victims' virtual and physical spaces.

Platforms have the ability to make themselves less useful for stalking. For example, platforms can help victims of stalking more easily and quickly exercise control over the visibility of and contents of their digital profiles. Platforms can also place basic safeguards on their capacities for search to prevent unintended and malicious use.