Rental agency in Sydney under fire after it discloses public information of critics

A rental listing by Wills Property has ignited controversy after the agency publicly disclosed personal information about individuals who left negative reviews. The backlash stems from a rental advertisement for a three-bedroom flat managed by Wills Property gained widespread attention on social media earlier this week because of its unusual conditions.

These unusual conditions required tenants to assist with the upkeep of the childcare centre situated below and restricted them from entering or exiting the apartment during the 10 hours the centre was operational.

Alyssa Hardy, an emergency health worker, felt compelled to leave a negative review after seeing the listing on social media. Despite not being a former client of Wills Property, her review aimed to raise public awareness. Shortly after posting, she received a response from the agency that not only referenced her employer but also implied legal action.

“I think they were trying to intimidate me,” Alyssa commented, noting that Wills Property also contacted her on social media.

The situation escalated as Wills Property began identifying and reaching out to other critics, including contacting their workplaces and partners on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Reddit user Cords9836 described feeling violated after the agency contacted their partner regarding a thread about the listing.

In a statement, Wills Property director John Wills mentioned that the agency had received personal threats since the listing went viral, prompting them to notify the police.

However, Police have yet to confirm any reports related to the threats.

Experts in law and ethics have weighed in on the situation, highlighting that while sharing publicly available information is not illegal, it could be viewed as intimidation. Demi Swain, a senior associate at a law firm, indicated that negative reviews are protected under freedom of speech if based on factual experiences.

The incident underscores a growing trend of digital vigilantism, where individuals retaliate against businesses perceived to have acted unjustly. However, the ethical implications of exposing personal information as a form of social punishment are complex and could have serious repercussions for those involved.

Another worry regarding the sharing of personal information online is that, once amplified, the situation can lead to unforeseen repercussions.

Hugh Breakey, an ethicist at Griffith University stated "The key takeaway is that one reason to be cautious about this is that you can't control how impactful that information ultimately becomes."

In October 2023, several university students in the US faced backlash after an open letter they signed in support of Palestine was shared on social media. Subsequently, those students encountered doxxing, harassment, and even assault.

Wills Property expressed regret over how the situation escalated but maintains that their response was necessary given the threats received. Meanwhile, the agency continues to face public scrutiny regarding their handling of the criticism.