Harvard’s New ‘Doxing’ Policies Threaten Free Speech

In early September, Harvard University announced changes to its “doxing” policies, stating that “doxing occurs . . . when a community member publicly shares an individual’s personal information without their permission with the intention and effect of intense harassment.” Unfortunately, the new guidelines provide yet another avenue to censor speech on campus by establishing a framework for a hypersensitive student to punish a university member who publicly stated what that student had done.

The policies are dangerous in part because they are imprecise and overly broad. At Harvard, “personal information” may include “a community member’s (or their immediate family member’s) personal or business address, email, cell or telephone number, class schedule, photo or video likeness, or similar information.” Furthermore, “publicly sharing” personal information includes “publishing it, posting or reposting it on social media, emailing it, hyperlinking it, or making it available for download.”

About the Author

Abigail Anthony

Abigail Anthony is a staff writer at National Review.

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In early September, Harvard University announced changes to its “doxing” policies, stating that “doxing occurs . . . when a community member publicly shares an individual’s personal information without their permission with the intention and effect of intense harassment.” Unfortunately, the new guidelines provide yet another avenue to censor speech on campus by establishing a framework for a hypersensitive student to punish a university member who publicly stated what that student had done.

The policies are dangerous in part because they are imprecise and overly broad. At Harvard, “personal information” may include “a community member’s (or their immediate family member’s) personal or business address, email, cell or telephone number, class schedule, photo or video likeness, or similar information.” Furthermore, “publicly sharing” personal information includes “publishing it, posting or reposting it on social media, emailing it, hyperlinking it, or making it available for download.”