Doxing

Doxing is a dangerous form of cyberbullying where personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, or employer details, is published without consent. Often, doxing is intended to intimidate, threaten, or publicly shame the targeted individual. Online, this can lead to real-life danger for those affected.

What is Doxing?

Doxing (also spelled “Doxxing”) refers to the publication or dissemination of personal information to intentionally harm someone. Such data is usually collected and shared without consent.

Common goals of doxing:

Intimidation or creating fear.
Mass harassment by third parties (“hate mobs”).
Encouraging online and offline attacks on the targeted individual.

Examples:

Posting addresses, phone numbers, or private photos on social media platforms.
Calls to harass the individual or contact their workplace.
Sharing sensitive data in forums, chat groups, or public platforms.

What can you do about doxing?

Doxing is a serious violation of your privacy. Here’s how you can respond:

Secure evidence: Take screenshots and document the publication of your data.
Report: Notify the platform where the data was shared and request its removal.
Submit a case: If the platform does not respond appropriately, you can submit the case to us.

Is Doxing a crime?

Yes, doxing is punishable by law in Germany. The unauthorized publication of personal data can violate data protection laws (§ 42 GDPR) and personal rights. It can result in fines or even imprisonment, especially if it involves threats or harassment.

How does User Rights help?

We evaluate whether the platform should have removed the publication of your data, thereby determining if it failed to fulfill its moderation obligations. Our legal assessment helps you take action against doxing and protect your rights.

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