UNCG Provost > Doxing and Trolling Guidelines

Doxing and Trolling Guidelines

DOXXING AND TROLLING GUIDELINES

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO

(Approved by the Office of the Provost, April 23, 2026)

Purpose

UNCG is committed to fostering an environment that upholds the principles of academic freedom, free expression, and mutual respect. Academic freedom and free expression are integral to the mission of higher education and to UNCG’s commitment to open inquiry and dialogue. Attacks such as doxxing and trolling threaten these principles. UNCG is committed to taking reasonable steps to ensure that all employees experience a safe and healthy working environment, and to providing available resources to faculty, staff, and students in these instances by upholding our Constitutionally protected rights, including, but not limited to freedom of speech, free expression, and all other rights and responsibilities. The University recommends reviewing the General Counsel’s memo on free speech/ academic freedom to better understand the protections and limits of covered speech.

What is Doxxing and Trolling?

Doxxing and Trolling are forms of behavior, usually conducted online, intended to antagonize, intimidate, harass, or threaten an individual’s safety and privacy, and may compromise their ability to participate in University activities. Doxxing is intentionally publishing or posting, or encouraging others to publish or post, another individual’s or their family’s personally identifying information that is not publicly available or authorized to be made publicly available such as home address, personal phone number, email address, and financial details or sensitive information. Trolling is posting inflammatory, irrelevant, or offensive comments, or other disruptive content.

UNCG prohibits Doxxing and Trolling and will investigate reported allegations involving students, faculty, or staff in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination under applicable University policies.

Immediate Steps

Faculty and Staff Action Steps

  1. Document the Misconduct
    1. Try to retain all evidence of the misconduct (e.g. emails, messages, voicemails, recordings) that you receive.
    2. Consider NOT reading all messages. Delegate to ITS, UNCG Police, or a trusted individual to sort by severity and compile the evidence for you.
    3. Screenshot posts, messages, and emails (including URLs and timestamps).
    4. Save email headers (showing sender information).
    5. Note dates, times, and platforms of communications.
  2. Notify Key Contacts
    1. Contact, as appropriate, your Chair/ Head/ Director/ Supervisor/ Dean to provide guidance on next steps.
    2. Contact ITS (6-tech). Ask for the Associate Vice Chancellor or the Chief Information Security Officer.
  3. Request Takedowns
    1. You may request removal by contacting the platform or website where it appears. Whenever possible, use the platform’s official reporting tools, especially if the content violates community standards. Most major platforms (e.g. Instagram, YouTube) have designated reporting channels.
    2. If the harmful content is hosted on a site operated by the individual who targeted you (not a major platform), you can still pursue removal by contacting the web hosting service. Many hosting providers have acceptable use policies and allow abuse reporting.
    3. When making a takedown request, be sure to identify yourself clearly, specify the statements and explain why they are false or misleading or should not be posted, and describe the harm the statements are causing.
  4. Report Threats
    1. Consider involving internal and external authorities. Doxxing/Trolling actions may be considered stalking, harassment, bullying, or other violations under N.C. State law and University policy.
  5. Seek Legal Advice
    1. The UNCG Employee Assistance Program provides free legal support and resource consultation, directly with an attorney, who can provide information about legal matters and options regarding Doxxing/Trolling.
    2. The Office of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel is available to consult with faculty or staff.
  6. Request a UNCG Police Trespass Warning
    1. Individuals who engage in doxxing or related harassing conduct may be subject to a trespass warning issued by a UNCG Police Officer.
    2. If the individual who is committing the Doxxing/Trolling has been identified, provide the name and any other identifying information to the UNCG Police.
    3. Once the trespass notice has been provided, the individual is prohibited from entering designated University property, and any subsequent entry may result in enforcement action, including criminal charges.
  7. Protect Your Privacy. You may consider:
    1. Removal of your contact information and profile from the University website;
    2. A new University email address;Suspending social media activity for a short period of time;
    3. Not responding to harassing messages.
  8. Media Inquiries
    1. Media outlets may attempt to contact you. Know that you do not have to respond.
    2. If you choose to respond, note that all communications are subject to open records laws.
    3. Consider contacting University Communications (ucomms@uncg.edu) for support.
  9. Seek Counseling Services
    1. A doxxing/trolling attack can be extremely disruptive and threaten one’s wellbeing. The UNCG Employee Assistance Program provides free counseling sessions through ComPsych.
  10. In the Classroom
    1. If you believe the attack may disrupt your classes, speak to your direct supervisor. Options may include moving classes online temporarily, moving class meeting locations temporarily, or other alternative options. Speak with your Chair/Head/Director/Supervisor/Dean to explore the best options for you and the students, and notify the Registrar if any changes are made to class delivery.
    2. The Doxxing/Trolling attack may have involved a student in your class. You have the right to prohibit audio and/or video recording in your classes. The Student Code of Conduct also addresses disruptive behavior.

Student Action Steps

  1. Document the Misconduct
    1. Try to retain all evidence of the misconduct (e.g. emails, messages, voicemails, recordings) that you receive.
    2. Consider NOT reading all messages. Delegate to a trusted individual to sort by severity and compile the evidence for you. Screenshot posts, messages, and emails (including URLs and timestamps).Save email headers (showing sender information).
    3. Note dates, times, and platforms of communications.
  2. Notify Key Contacts
    1. Contact the Dean of Students Office for support. This may include submitting a Concerning Behavior Report.
    2. Contact the UNCG Police if there is a threat or possible criminal behavior.
  3. Request Takedowns
    1. You may request removal by contacting the platform or website where it appears. Whenever possible, use the platform’s official reporting tools, especially if the content violates community standards. Most major platforms (e.g. Instagram, YouTube) have designated reporting channels.
    2. If the harmful content is hosted on a site operated by the individual who targeted you (not a major platform), you can still pursue removal by contacting the web hosting service. Many hosting providers have acceptable use policies and allow abuse reporting.
    3. When making a takedown request, be sure to identify yourself clearly, specify the statements and explain why they are false or misleading or should not be posted, and describe the harm the statements are causing.
  4. Report Threats
    1. Consider involving internal and external authorities. Doxxing/Trolling actions may be considered stalking, harassment, bullying, or other violations under N.C. State law and University policy.
  5. Seek Legal Advice
    1. If appropriate, students may want to seek legal advice in the community.
  6. Protect Your Privacy. You may consider:
    1. Changing your University and personal email address;
    2. Suspending social media activity for a short period of time;
    3. Not responding to harassing messages.
  7. Seek Counseling Services
    1. A Doxxing/Trolling attack can be extremely disruptive and threaten one’s wellbeing. UNCG’s Student Health Counseling and Psychological Services is a good resource for support.
  8. In the Classroom
    1. If you believe the attack may disrupt your participation in classes, speak to your instructor and academic advisor to explore possible options. If the attack involves another student, the Student Code of Conduct also addresses disruptive behavior.

Action Steps for Administrators Supporting Faculty or Staff in a Doxxing/Trolling Attack

Protecting Your Online Presence

UNCG supports faculty academic freedom and freedom of expression and will take all reasonable steps to ensure that employees may exercise these constitutionally protected rights. Given the broad reach of, and lack of University control of, the internet, once Doxxing/Trolling have occurred and your personal information has been widely disseminated, the University’s ability to protect you becomes limited. As such, it is imperative that each individual take all reasonable steps to avoid Doxxing/Trolling where possible, and to act in a prudent fashion when exercising your constitutionally protected rights. Each faculty or staff member must determine their own level of risk tolerance.

The following suggestions are offered for faculty and staff who might wish proactively to limit their vulnerability to a Doxxing/Trolling attack.

Social Media Safety

Classroom Guidance

Relevant University and Policy Resources

UNCG Police

Discriminatory Conduct

Information Technology Services (ITS)

Student Code of Conduct

Title IX Policy

Acceptable Use of Computing and Electronic Resources Policy

Unlawful Workplace Harassment Policy and Plan

UNCG Employee Assistance Program