Washington Post denounced in Times Square over doxxing claims

A large digital billboard ad was taken out in Times Square Tuesday denouncing the Washington Post for doxxing a private citizen and then claiming that it did not happen. 

Last week, Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz revealed the identity of the owner of the popular Twitter account Libs of TikTok. The account simply re-posts videos posted to social media by users, without editing the footage. The account has gained a large following due to the shocking and absurd content of the videos.    

Since the account was created in November 2020, the account has amassed over 600,000 followers. The owner has made a point of remaining anonymous for the last year-and-a-half out of safety concerns, knowing that she would be targeted if her identity were known.   

In her article, Lorenz linked to the individual’s home address, employer and real estate license. 

But in response to the immense backlash following the report, the Washington Post claimed it simply didn’t dox the Libs of TikTok account creator.  

According to Fox News reporter Joseph Wulfsohn, the Washington Post said it "did not publish or link to any details about her personal life." 

This claim only intensified the backlash against the publication. On Monday, podcast host and journalist Tim Pool asked his more than 1.1 million followers if he should take out an ad against the Washington Post. 

“Should I buy a billboard in Times Square saying Taylor Lorenz doxxed @libsoftiktok…I wouldn’t care if they just owned it but the gaslighting deserves a proper rebuttal,” Pool tweeted. 

“Yes. Do it. I’m good for half,” replied Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boering. 

The next day, a digital billboard ad in Times Square read the following:  

“Hey WaPo, democracy dies in darkness, that’s why we’re shining a light on you,” referencing the publication’s slogan. 

“The Washington Post and Taylor Lorenz Doxxed @libsoftiktok,” it continued. “They included a link to private work details and an address listed as Libs’ private home. They lied about it so I got an ad in Times Square calling them out. Thanks to @JeremyDBoreing for the assist.” 

Ironically, Lorenz herself had cried to MSNBC last month about her and her family being subjected to “harassment” online, breaking down in tears. In another video posted to TikTok, Lorenz said the media need “a wake up call” and to not dox private citizens.   

Since the Washington Post report, Libs of TikTok has jumped to over a million followers.