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 | This is an essay on WP:DOXING policy. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
Because of its open nature, Wikipedia is subject to a number of syndromes or problems that can lead to discrediting the project as a whole. Insertion of questionable or false or unverified information is the worst of these. Of all such information, that which accuses people of unpopular status (e.g. being homosexual, religious fundamentalists) or performing or advocating illegal acts, tends to be the worst. The use of such information is entirely out of the control of editors and publishers of Wikipedia, and could if used against the individuals reported on, end the project. For instance, in some countries it is illegal to be homosexual. A report that someone is homosexual on a Wikipedia page could lead to their being harmed or killed. They or their families would then have cause for legal action against Wikipedia's editor Wikimedia Foundation, especially if the claims published were never verified or found to be inaccurate.
Wikipedia discourages outing: the practice of claiming that people are working with, have the same friends as, the same attributes as, or "are" other people with whom they have not openly claimed an association. This practice threatens freedom of association.