what is dox

Doxing, also spelled doxxing, is the act of publicly revealing personally identifiable information about an individual or organization, usually via the internet. This information can include a persons real name, home address, phone number, identification numbers, personal photos, and other sensitive information that could make the victim identifiable and potentially exposed to further harassment, humiliation, and real-life threats, including stalking and unwanted encounters in person. The term "dox" derives from the slang "dropping dox," which was an old-school revenge tactic that emerged from hacker culture in the 1990s. Hackers operating outside the law in that era used the breach of an opponents anonymity as a means to expose opponents to harassment or legal repercussions. Doxing often comes with a negative connotation because it can be a means of revenge via the violation of privacy. The motivations behind doxing vary, but the core purpose is to violate privacy, and it can put people in an uncomfortable situation, sometimes with dire consequences.