No.
Doxxing is illegal in Belgium under multiple criminal and privacy statutes, including the 2018 Data Protection Act and the 2023 Cybercrime Law. The Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA) enforces penalties up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover for violations. Recent 2026 amendments to the Penal Code expand protections against digital harassment, explicitly criminalizing the public disclosure of private data with intent to harm.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in Belgium
- GDPR Implementation (2018 Data Protection Act): Prohibits unauthorized processing of personal data, including sharing without explicit consent. Violations trigger fines from the APD/GBA, with aggravated penalties for malicious intent.
- Cybercrime Law (2023): Criminalizes digital stalking, harassment, and the dissemination of private information with intent to intimidate or incite violence. Offenders face up to 2 years imprisonment and €48,000 fines.
- Penal Code Amendments (2026): Introduces new Article 442bis, targeting “digital doxxing” as a form of aggravated breach of privacy. Courts may order takedowns of shared data and compensation for victims.
Enforcement prioritizes cases involving public figures, journalists, and activists, where harm is presumed severe. The APD/GBA collaborates with the Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU) to investigate cross-border doxxing incidents. Corporate entities facilitating doxxing via platforms may incur joint liability under the Digital Services Act (DSA) transposition.