How to Deal With Doxxing: What to Do Right Now

Reviewed by Joseph Chierotti, CEO, Defamation Defenders · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

Short answer

If you’ve been doxxed, document the posts, report them to the platform under its private-information policy, tell police if there are threats, secure your accounts, and remove your home address and phone number from data broker and people-search sites, which is where most doxxers find them. Google also removes results that expose certain personal information, including doxxing content.

Key takeaways

Doxxing is publishing someone’s private information, usually to harass or intimidate.
Every major platform bans posting private information like home addresses.
Google has a removal process for doxxing and personal information in search results.
Data brokers are the main source of doxxed information; removing yourself cuts off supply.
Report threats to police right away.

Table Of Content

What is doxxing?

Doxxing means publishing someone’s private or identifying information, such as a home address, phone number, workplace, family members, or private photos, without consent, usually to harass, intimidate, or expose them. It often follows an online argument, a viral post, or a dispute.

What to do right now if you’ve been doxxed

Document it

Screenshots and URLs of every post and the accounts sharing it.

Report to the platform

Use the private-information or doxxing report option on each post.

Tell police about threats

Especially threats of violence or someone showing up at your home.

Secure accounts

Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and lock down social media.

Alert people close to you

Family, employer, and building management if your address was shared.

Remove the source

Take your information off data broker and people-search sites.

Remove doxxing from Google

Google lets you request removal of search results that contain personal contact information, such as your phone number, email, or home address, and results shared with intent to dox. This doesn’t delete the content from the website, but it stops it from showing up when people search your name.

Get your personal information off the internet

IRMA removes your information from data brokers and people-search sites, monitors for re-listings, and re-removes it free. $49/month, cancel anytime.

See Personal Information Removal Call 1-800-785-1749

How to prevent doxxing

Remove broker listings

Most doxxers start with people-search sites.

Limit what you share

Turn off location tags and hide your city, employer, and family from public profiles.

Use separate emails

Keep a private email for important accounts.

Monitor your name

Catch new listings and posts before they spread.

Doxxing FAQs

Is doxxing illegal?

It depends on what’s posted and why. Doxxing with threats, stalking, or harassment can be a crime in many states, and it violates the rules of most platforms.

Can I get doxxing posts removed?

Yes. Platforms remove private information like home addresses, and Google removes results that expose personal contact information.

Where do doxxers get my information?

Usually from data broker and people-search sites, public records, and social media.

How do I remove my address from the internet?

Opt out of each data broker and people-search site and monitor for re-listings, or use a removal service.

Should I call the police if I’m doxxed?

Yes, if there are threats, stalking, or anyone shows up at your home.

Take back your privacy

We’ll remove your information from people-search sites and Google and keep watching for it. Money-back guarantee.

Start Removing My Info Call 1-800-785-1749

Defamation Defenders is an online reputation management company, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice.

How to Deal With Doxxing: Protect Your Information and Reputation