Doxing

Abstract

Doxxing (or doxing) is a complex, gendered form of online harassment that breaches perceived privacy boundaries by releasing information through online mass media channels, resulting in physical and online consequences for a target. Doxxing often occurs in conjunction with other forms of online abuse and entangles online and physical environments in complicated and gendered ways that differ on a case-by-case basis. While both women and men experience doxxing, women are more likely to receive greater amounts of unwanted, vitriolic, and sexualized messages, to be the targets of cyber-mobbing or brigading, revenge porn, nude leaked messages, and receive unwanted sexualized items. The design and use of technology has become an important focus for feminist scholars as studies have demonstrated that they facilitate online harassment such as doxxing through a problematic developing trend toward eliminating anonymity online.