Doxing as a Form of Online Activism: Case of Alexei Navalny’s Film A Palace For Putin

This article sheds a light on doxing as a form of digital activism and use of social media platforms through mapping the case of video released by Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in January 2021. 2-hour film A Palace for Putin was posted on YouTube and within 3 weeks, 109 million views were registered by YouTube only. Similar to 2017 Navalny’s video that was devoted to the corruption schemes of the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, released after Navalny’s arrest Palace was followed by the mass protests in the biggests Russian cities. This article aims to discuss the impact of doxing and social media platforms on political process in Russia. It is argued that by drawing attention of Russians to Putin’s corruption schemes, video exposes wrongdoings and delegitimize the power of the Russian president. Also, doxing creates a platform for debate and exchange of opinions directly in the comments under the videos, therefore, civic engagement is promoted. However, doxing and digital media platforms also violate privacy as a basic human right. Also, it is argued that doxing videos has very little potential to mobilize Russians or organize citizens that support opposition. Rather, it is a work of opposition headquarters and activists. At the same time, there is a risk of the new circle of authoritarian measures that government adopts as a response to growing activism. Article relies on qualitative methodology. Author conducts qualitative analysis of the film supported by the analysis of comments left by YouTube users under the videos.