--- title: "What is Doxing? — Social Media Glossary | Postpone" canonical_url: "https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/doxing" last_updated: "2026-10-08T07:16:17.221Z" meta: description: "Doxing is publicly revealing someone's private personal information online, such as their address or workplace, without their consent." "og:description": "Doxing is publicly revealing someone's private personal information online, such as their address or workplace, without their consent." "og:title": "What is Doxing? — Social Media Glossary" "twitter:description": "Doxing is publicly revealing someone's private personal information online, such as their address or workplace, without their consent." "twitter:title": "What is Doxing? — Social Media Glossary" --- **Social Media Literacy** # Doxing Doxing is publicly revealing someone's private personal information online, such as their address or workplace, without their consent. [**Reddit **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/reddit-post-scheduler) [** X **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/twitter-post-scheduler) [** Instagram **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/instagram-post-scheduler) [** Facebook **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/facebook-post-scheduler) [** LinkedIn **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/linkedin-scheduler) [** TikTok **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/tiktok-post-scheduler) [** Threads **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/threads-scheduler) [** Pinterest **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/pinterest-scheduler) [** YouTube **Shorts scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/youtube-shorts-scheduler) [** Bluesky **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/bluesky-post-scheduler) [** Tumblr **scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/tumblr-post-scheduler) [** Mastodon **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/mastodon-post-scheduler) Doxing (sometimes spelled "doxxing") is the act of researching and broadcasting someone's private information — real name, home address, phone number, workplace, family details — without their permission. The term comes from "dropping docs," hacker slang from the 1990s for releasing documents about a rival. ## How It Happens Most doxing doesn't require hacking skills. People leave trails across the internet. A username reused across platforms connects an anonymous Reddit account to a LinkedIn profile. A photo's metadata reveals GPS coordinates. An old forum post mentions a workplace. Public records, voter registrations, and property databases fill in the rest. The pieces individually seem harmless. Combined, they strip away someone's anonymity completely. Common methods include: - **Username correlation** — searching the same handle across platforms - **Reverse image search** — finding other accounts using the same profile photo - **Social engineering** — tricking customer service or contacts into revealing information - **Public records** — property records, court filings, business registrations - **Data breaches** — leaked databases that link emails to real identities ## The Consequences Doxing is rarely just about exposure. It's usually a precursor to harassment campaigns. Once personal information is public, it gets weaponized. Victims receive threatening phone calls, pizza deliveries as a warning, and swatting — fake emergency calls to send armed police to someone's home. Journalists, activists, and content creators are frequent targets. GamerGate in 2014 showed how organized doxing campaigns could force people out of their homes and careers. The pattern has repeated countless times since. ## Platform Responses Every major platform prohibits sharing private personal information. Reddit, Twitter/X, Instagram, and others will remove doxing content and ban the accounts responsible. But enforcement is reactive — the information often spreads faster than moderation can contain it. ## Protecting Yourself Complete protection isn't realistic if you're active online, but you can reduce your exposure: - Use different usernames across platforms - Strip metadata from photos before uploading - Keep personal details off public profiles - Use a P.O. box or registered agent for any public-facing business registrations - Regularly search your own name and usernames to see what's findable Doxing is illegal in several U.S. states and many countries, but enforcement is inconsistent. Prevention remains more reliable than legal recourse. **Example** After a heated argument in a gaming subreddit, one user digs through the other's post history, cross-references usernames across platforms, and posts their real name, employer, and home city in the thread. The targeted person starts receiving harassment at work within hours. ## **Why It Matters** Doxing turns online disagreements into real-world danger. Victims face harassment, threats, job loss, and in extreme cases, physical violence. It's one of the most effective tools for silencing people online, and it disproportionately targets women, minorities, and public critics. ## **Related Terms** [Cancel Culture](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/cancel-culture) [Moderator / Moderation](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/moderator-moderation) [Social Media Etiquette](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/social-media-etiquette) [Trolling](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/trolling) [**← Back to Social Media Glossary **](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary)