Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Why we can’t stop doxxing people for fun
Jul 23, 2025
Jason Koebler, a writer from 404 Media, joins to dissect the disturbing rise of doxing and the surveillance-entertainment economy. They discuss a viral incident involving a cheating couple at a Coldplay concert, showcasing how social media rallying can turn into invasive scrutiny. The conversation explores the ethical dilemmas of crowdsourced surveillance and the erosion of privacy, especially impacting marginalized communities. They also examine the intersection of clickbait culture and open-source intelligence, revealing the dark implications of viral content in our digital age.
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Concert Affair Sparks Viral Doxxing
- A viral video from a Coldplay concert showed a CEO and HR head seemingly having an affair.
- Social media users quickly doxxed them using the company website, social media, and facial recognition tools.
Boston Marathon Origin of Surveillance Culture
- Crowdsourced surveillance culture arguably began with the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing frenzy.
- Social media footage sparked mass public investigations, some with tragic consequences.
Open Source Intel from Serious to Viral
- Digital open source intelligence has evolved from serious journalism to a widespread internet hobby.
- Research tactics once used for atrocities are now applied to trivial viral moments.
