doxing is the process of finding out, digging for or uncovering personal information on a person, group, organization or corporate entity, compiling it in an organized format and posting it online. the end result of doxing is a dox. doxes are often shared to incite harassment, intimidation, and/or violent acts toward their victims. it can be used to help police or to assist criminals. typically, a person is doxed for revenge-based reasons, motivating the person who is wronged or who has perceived a wrong to humiliate and expose their target. doxing is legal in all 50 u.s. states, only if the information is gathered from public websites, is public knowledge and does not contain private information such as ssns or cell phone numbers.