Anti-corona measures activist Willem Engel put the address details of Sigrid Kaag online last week. The D66 leader files a complaint against Engel, but what she would actually like to see him prosecuted for is not yet punishable. That is the public sharing of sensitive personal data to intimidate, something that has come to be known as doxing.
It is not clear what exactly Kaag will report. The report is still being prepared, a spokesperson said.
Legislation against doxing is in the making. Because it is not yet punishable, the police and the Public Prosecution Service do not keep any figures about it. It is clear that it is a growing problem. The police requested last year to criminalize this form of online harassment, as it increasingly affects officers.
What is doxing?
Doxing is therefore the online distribution of sensitive personal data for the purpose of intimidation. This concerns, for example, sharing someone’s workplace, a photo of a passport, a telephone number or, as in Kaag’s case, address details.
This can wreak havoc on the victim and society, according to a report by the Rathenau Institute. For example, the shared information can be misused to threaten someone online or to harass an employer. A target may also be harassed at home or on the street.
Sharing sensitive private information is now not punishable, because in principle there is no threat of a serious crime or stalking.
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