Doxing

Learn about doxing, how it can relate to foreign interference, and what to do if you or someone you know is affected.

What is doxing (or doxxing)?

Doxing is when someone puts your personal or private information online without asking you. This can include your full name, home address, phone number, where you work, or even your family’s contact details. Often they encourage other people to use the information to scare, threaten, harass or intimidate you.

If doxing is carried out for or on behalf of a foreign state, this is a form of foreign interference. Sharing personal and private information publicly can harm someone’s privacy, security, and safety.

Doxing, online abuse and harassment

Video transcript

Example of foreign interference: Doxing, online abuse and harassment.

Foreign interference can affect Ethnic Communities in different ways. Recognising it helps communities be aware of the risks and protect themselves.

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) defines foreign interference as an act by a foreign state, often acting through a proxy, which is intended to influence, disrupt or subvert New Zealand’s national interests by deceptive, corruptive or coercive means. However, normal diplomatic activity, lobbying and other genuine, overt efforts to gain influence are not considered interference.

Here is one example of foreign interference based on experiences shared by Ethnic Communities with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.

A member of an Ethnic Community in New Zealand, who often publicly criticised a foreign state’s government on social media experienced foreign interference. Their personal information including their address, phone number, and email, was posted online – this is called doxing.

The people who doxed the community member were instructed to do this by the foreign state's government. The community member received threatening phone calls and messages. They also received a lot of abusive comments on their social media accounts. The community member felt very scared and unsafe. They later found out that they were doxed by people in New Zealand who were working for the foreign state’s government.

The doxing was an attempt to scare them, so they would stop publicly criticising the foreign state’s government on social media. Eventually, they stopped expressing their views on social media and speaking out.

This is just one example of how foreign interference can impact Ethnic Communities. Foreign interference is not always obvious. It can be subtle and difficult to recognise. If something doesn’t feel right or makes you uncomfortable pay attention to it.

Learn more on how to recognise foreign interference, safeguard yourself and your community, and how to respond by checking out our other resources. Together, we can protect what makes New Zealand strong.

What to do if you are doxed

If you feel comfortable, let your family and friends know what happened, they may be targeted too. Ask them to set their social media profiles to private.

Use the reporting feature on the website, app, or platform where the incident happened. Netsafe’s social media guides have information on how to do this.

You can report harmful content to Netsafe: Submit a request – Netsafe. Netsafe can also give you expert support, advice and assistance on online safety. Email help@netsafe.org.nz or text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 to get support.

If you are in danger, call the Police immediately by calling 111.

If it’s not an emergency, you can contact the Police by:

  • Using the 105 online form
  • Calling 105 from any mobile or landline, this service is free and available 24/7 nationwide.

The 105 form asks for some of your personal information to help the Police process your report and follow up with you. The Police only use this information for permitted purposes.

If you suspect a foreign state is behind your doxing, you can report this to the NZSIS using their secure online form.

You don’t have to give your personal information like your name, phone number, or contact details if you don’t want to. You can also fill out the form in your own language. All information you provide is confidential and protected.

If you want to talk to someone at NZSIS, you can call them on +64 4 472 6170 or 0800 747 224.

Information to share with Netsafe, Police or NZSIS when reporting

When reporting, it's helpful to include as many details as possible. Try to screenshot or save a copy of:

  • What personal or private information was shared or posted
  • The user profile or account of the person who shared it (e.g. their username)
  • The date and time the information was shared or posted
  • The name of the website or app where it happened

How to protect yourself from being doxed

Look at Keeping Safe Online for more information.

Check your ​​privacy settings on your social media and online accounts. Set your profiles to private so only people you trust can see your information.

Look up your name and personal details to see what information about you is publicly available. Remove any personal and private information that others can use to harm you such as your address.

Smartphones and cameras may embed location data in photos by using your location settings. This could be used to find your personal information, like your home or your children’s school. Turning off geotagging or location settings varies by device, so search online using your device’s name for specific instructions.

Download this information here

Find out more here

Online abuse and harassment

Learn about online abuse and harassment, how it can relate to foreign interference, and what to do if you experience it.

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Keeping safe online

Learn what steps you can take to stay safe online and protect yourself from potential risks.

Find out more

Foreign interference in New Zealand

Foreign interference is when foreign states try to interfere with New Zealand to achieve their own goals. Learn how this can affect Ethnic Communities.

Find out more

Your rights in New Zealand

Learn about your rights in New Zealand. This general information supports understanding and is not legal advice.

Find out more

How to report foreign interference

Ethnic Communities in New Zealand don’t have to tolerate foreign interference. Learn how to report concerns using the available options.

Find out more

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