A privacy expert on the internet is alarming about a surge of online doxing that targets federal employees and judges. A judge’s ruling to prevent the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing Treasury payment information led to the increase. The incidents of doxing highlight an increasing threat for those working in federal government or the judicial systems.
Doxing: A Contextual Analysis
The U.S. District Court of Southern District of New York, Judge Paul Engelmayer issued a preliminary order on the 8th of February to prevent DOGE from accessing Treasury Department Records. After 19 Democratic attorneys filed suit, the court ruled that DOGE could not access Treasury Department records. The judge was appointed in 2011 by the former president Barack Obama. He also ordered that DOGE should destroy all records.
Elon Musk (head of DOGE) responded to the Judge Engelmayer ruling by posting several messages on X, formerly Twitter, calling for his impeachment. Musk accused Engelmayer of protecting corruption and sparked a series of threats online against him, including posting the address of his house.
There is a growing threat of doxxing federal employees and judges
Internet security experts report a marked increase in incidents of doxing, particularly among federal employees and judicial officers. The rise of doxing incidents is directly linked to the attacks against judges who handle cases involving ICE raids or DOGE requests.
The severity of this problem is revealed by data from 2021. Over 4,500 inappropriate messages and threats were sent to federal judges, court staff, and jury members. The American Bar Association Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division, in response to this issue, proposed a solution that would classify home addresses as confidential information and allow them only be disclosed with consent.
The online violence can turn into actual physical violence. A tragic example is the 2023 murder of Washington County Circuit Court Justice Andrew Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s murder was committed by an accused who lost custody over his children during a hearing that Wilkinson presided.
Experts report a doubled number of violent, harassing online messages directed at judges. It is fuelled by the rhetoric of high-profile individuals who attack judges for challenging federal policy, especially in regards to layoffs, budget cuts and immigration. Musk, for example, called another federal judge “evil”, and demanded his removal following a decision that mandated the restoration public health data from government websites.
The rise of doxing and attacks is due to several factors: high profile attacks on jurists, the perception of the public that the judiciary blocks the will of citizens, and easy access to personal information via the internet. If it’s easy to locate someone’s home address online, it makes it easier for attackers to go after them or their families.
Assaults of this nature can suppress an independent judiciary and free press as well as the open exchange ideas. If their safety or that of their family is threatened, individuals may self-censor themselves. The increasing cyber-attacks and ransomware attacks that result from data breaches exacerbate this issue. To safeguard the foundations of any republic, it is vital to protect personal data.
Your information becomes more accessible and you are at risk of scams or violence. A simple online comment, participation on a protest or jury can be a cause for concern in today’s divided world.
Doxing: What is it and what are its consequences?
It is a form of doxxing to reveal private information about an individual without his or her consent. It may include their name, full address, telephone number, email and work details. Doxing can be done maliciously, with the intention to harm, harass or intimidate the target.
Doxing is an attack that violates privacy and can have severe consequences. These include identity theft, harassment, physical injury, or harm to the body. Many regions consider doxing a criminal offense.
Doxing Incidents – Statements and Responses
In an article, Paul Grimm stated that he was a retired U.S. District Judge and the director of Duke Law School’s Bolch Judicial Institute. open letter: The judge has been the victim of unfair threats, even as DOGE continues to argue for information access in court. “We must defend the judges who are doing their job and allow courts to interpret laws without fear.”
Musk responded to Engelmayer on Twitter: The worst one percent of judges appointed, determined by the bodies elected, should be dismissed every year. That way, the corruptest ones and those with the lowest level of competence will get weeded out.
Judge Engelmayer wrote He made the following decision: There is an increased risk with the new policy of disclosure of confidential and sensitive information. The systems may also be more vulnerable to hacking.
Darcee Siegel from the Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division stated this earlier in the month. We should no longer live in terror because of the violence and threats to our civil servants and institutions.
Doxing, Threats and Future Consequences
Republican Representative Eli Crane, who accuses Judge Engelmayer of overreaching in the judicial system, has threatened to bring articles of impeachment.