jseitz
How to Deter Doxxing | Nieman Reports
ast November, Anna Merlan got an unexpected e-mail from Domino’s Pizza. The pizzas she ordered were ready, and she could pay for them in cash when they were delivered. The problem was, she hadn’t ordered pizza, and she no longer lived at the address listed in the e-mail. Merlan shrugged it off, but...
Here's an article your friend may want to read. Down at the bottom is where the suggestions are. It's about journalists specifically, but a lot of the suggestions can be reasonably abstracted to the general population.
What To Do about Doxxing
Some things journalists can do to support colleagues and protect themselves against doxxing
Before it happens
New hires should have digital security training—how to keep personal information private, which sites and groups target reporters, how to send and receive encrypted files—as part of the on-boarding process, and this training should be updated as the harassment ecosystem changes.
Editors should get training on what harassment looks like and the people and sites that might target employees or freelancers. Finance departments should be comfortable using encrypted documents for things like invoices and tax forms.
Reporters should be offered an official e-mail address and phone number that is separate from their personal points of contact. Packages and letters should always be sent to the office, rather than to private homes.
Freelancers should consider using P.O. boxes instead of their home addresses and Skype or Google Voice phone numbers in place of personal cells or landlines. Do not send sensitive data like Social Security numbers and home addresses via unencrypted e-mail.
Those concerned about harassment should set up personal support networks like Slack chat rooms or private Facebook groups.
If it happens
If you choose to report the harassment to the police, bring a lawyer who understands the issues and examples of the threats. If you know any identifying information about the harassers, share that as well.
Colleagues can support doxxed reporters by diverting or monitoring official work e-mails and voicemails, keeping an eye on the target’s Twitter mentions to document the harassment, and reporting the abusers.
Doxxed colleagues will probably appreciate your support, but don’t be offended if they don’t respond. Most of the channels you might use to reach them—phone, e-mail, and social media accounts—are likely flooded with messages from harassers. They may be ignoring those streams or unable to see your support amidst the deluge.
— Rose Eveleth
Also, at least in the US, it is possible to file civil lawsuits against people who have doxxed you, so if your friend happens to know who it is, she could do that. Or, as this is an MMO, report them to the game admins.
@xaade said:From what I can tell, doxxing is only illegal if it is tied to other illegal actions. It almost always is, which is why people think doxxing is illegal.
But from what I can tell, it's only illegal for someone in a sensitive position (witness protection, government employee).
When there haven't been any other illegal actions (which is very rare), I think it is generally considered a civil matter, so civil suits are still a viable option.
