10/23/2023
Doxing, short for โdropping dox,โ is a term that originates from the abbreviated form of documents or โdox.โ It refers to the act of spreading or posting private information about individuals or organizations to the public, mostly through the Internet. Doxing is committed without the victimโs knowledge or consent, and it is often done to harass or get revenge.
The practice of doxing has gained popularity and notoriety over the years, and, during the 2023 legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 611 in an effort to crack down on the practice by making it illegal to disclose someoneโs phone number or address. Other offenses can also stem from the act of doxing.
Beginning on Sept. 1, 2023, Section 42.074 of the Texas Penal Code criminalizes a type of doxing โ which is officially titled โUnlawful Diclosure of Residence Address or Telephone Number.โ Under this statute, a person commits doxing if he or she โposts on a publicly accessible website the residence address or telephone number of an individual with the intent to cause harm or threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individualโs family or household.โ
It is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by six months in jail and a maximum $2000 fine, to post an individualโs address or number on a publicly accessible website with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to the individual or a member of the individualโs family or household. The punishment can be elevated to a Class A misdemeanor if the offense results in bodily injury of that individual or their family member.
While doxing ranges in severity, it basically entails releasing private or personal information to the public in an attempt to harass, extort, or shame. Examples include:
Posting an individualโs phone number or address on the Internet
Releasing personal photos of an individual
Releasing information about an individualโs family, work or other private information
Encouraging others to use released information to harass an individual.
Harassment: Harassment is another common charge that results from doxing. In the state of Texas, harassment is described in Penal Code Section 42.07 as an intent to โharass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrassโ another person. If the intent of the alleged perpetrator includes any of the above when doxing, they could be charged with harassment. Harassment is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 in fines. However, it can be elevated to a Class A if the defendant has a previous conviction for harassment.
