A
Identity
Name, photograph, age, aliases, personal profiles or information linking a civil identity to online activity.
Privacy · Online safety · French law
Understanding doxxing
Definition, examples, risks and consequences of doxxing.
01 · Definition
Understanding doxxing
Doxxing (also spelled doxing) generally refers to finding, compiling or disclosing information that identifies or locates a person, often without their consent and in a hostile context.
B
Location
Home address, places visited, workplace or information about relatives when disclosure may expose them to risk.
C
Amplification
Repeated sharing, publication across several platforms, calls to contact an employer or encouragement to intimidate someone.
An important distinction: publishing personal data is not automatically a criminal offence. The context, purpose, risk created and applicable law must be assessed.
What can the consequences be?
Possible consequences include fear for personal safety, reputational damage, hostile messages, disruption to family or working life, changes to contact details and loss of control over personal information.
People targeted by doxxing are not responsible for the actions of those exposing them. Protective steps can take time; keeping a timeline and seeking support from trusted people may help.