What is Doxxed?
Doxxing, also spelled ‘doxed,’ is the act of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about an individual on the internet without their consent. This information can include addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and other personal data that could be used to harm or harass the person.
Methods of Doxxing
- Searching social media profiles
- Using public records databases
- Exploiting security vulnerabilities
Examples of Doxxing
One notorious case of doxxing involved celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson having their private photos leaked online. Another example is video game enthusiasts targeting and revealing personal information about female gamers to intimidate and harass them.
Case Studies
In 2014, the online harassment campaign known as Gamergate involved doxxing of individuals critical of sexism in the gaming industry, leading to threats, harassment, and real-world consequences for the targets. In 2017, the ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville led to the doxxing of white supremacist participants, resulting in some losing jobs and facing social ostracism.
Statistics on Doxxing
According to a study by the Data & Society Research Institute, nearly 25% of internet users have had personal information exposed without their consent. The practice of doxxing is on the rise, with social media platforms becoming hotbeds for malicious actors seeking to harm others.
Protecting Yourself from Doxxing
- Limit the personal information you share online
- Enable privacy settings on social media accounts
- Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts
- Consider using a VPN to mask your IP address
- Report any instances of doxxing to the authorities
