Hacker News Reader

Comment by mkal_tsr | Hacker News Reader

This information is very easily found from searching based off their username. Is HN actively preventing people from registering with usernames that are on other sites and services? If not, what are the limits and connections between one's username and one's username on other websites? Further, what is the limit between one's username and full name and/or projects that are indexed on every major search engine? Should we not title this post "Tesla CEO" else we dox that individual?

View on HN

It doesn't matter how easily the information is found.

By "doxing" I meant posting someone's personal details as a way of attacking them. None of us would want that done to ourselves, and we owe the same consideration to others.

Nor is it needed for substantive discussion, which is the purpose of HN threads.

Am I doxxing myself by using my last name as my username, or by putting my real name, current position at my company, and my email address in my profile?

The problem with your golden rule there is that you make assumptions about what other people want.

> Am I doxxing myself by using my last name as my username, or by putting my real name, current position at my company, and my email address in my profile?

No.

But it's clear that the term "doxxing" (which I've never used before and apparently can't even spell) is a giant distraction. How about we just stick to the point about no personal attacks.

I just didn't see what happened above as a personal attack. He referenced his professional experience and someone provided evidence of that career.

But you're right, this is hardly an important issue to me and we could go on about "doxxing" for days, so I'll consider my peace made.

For what it's worth I read the tone of the comment quite negatively. So did the person that made the comment, given that they used a throwaway.

This is exactly what I was getting at, glad someone else saw that. I didn't see posting relevant credentials that are easily found through usernames containing PII to really be doxxing because it's "self-doxxing", and the fact that those credentials are relevant to the discussion.

This is the problem I have with HN moderation, they have rules that they selectively enforce but it's all built on their heuristics which they never flesh-out. Neither of us can go to a page on HN and run through a checklist to determine if content in a post will or will not be considered flaggable/bannable because it's a "closed source heuristic" if you will. There are guidelines sure, but the enforcement seems very wishy-washy and selective.

Afaict it's like, be a decent person, or at least try. Not sure why that's a problem.

He said "as a way of attacking them." Are you attacking yourself by posting your personal information? No? Then the answer to your question should be obvious.

You're also making the assumption that if you're fine with it then so must everyone else. If we're to do all this assuming, then let's assume on the side of people's privacy.

How? I'm just saying it's not cut/dry. I'm not making any assumptions.

Your statement reads, to me admittedly, that since you put your public info out there that no one should care if someone else outs their info to the public. In context of the discussion.

But you can't dox yourself, in the usual meaning of the term.

The point I'm trying to make is that 'ease of discovery' is indeed a relevant factor here, and furthermore in this specific case the user was citing his professional experience with a username that corresponds to his own.

I'd be willing to bet he's perfectly alright with someone posting his professional credentials on this site. I know I would be (and have, in fact).

So is it really doxxing at all, then?

This isn't a topic I'm all that passionate about, I just wanted to point out the differing opinion.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com