An owner of a UK recruitment firm is accused of running a doxxing campaign called 'Big Time Charlie'.
The account allegedly used AI tools to collect data from LinkedIn and other sites to publish targeted information about activists and executives.
The campaign coincided with harassment aimed at RNLI staff over their rescue work and involvement in minority hiring.
Authorities and the public safety group Hope Not Hate are probing the allegations, with the account being deactivated after the accusations surfaced.
Quick read · 1 min
A recruitment boss is accused of running a doxxing campaign against the RNLI, anti-racism activists, and minority recruiting executives. The account, called Big Time Charlie, allegedly scraped data from LinkedIn and other sites to publish targeted information. The account was deactivated after scrutiny from Hope Not Hate. This case highlights online safety risks and how data can be misused for harassment. Investigations are ongoing, with platform safety teams monitoring for similar behavior.
Doxxing uses publicly available data to target individuals.
Reader tip: review privacy settings on professional networks.
Watch for official updates as investigations continue.
The recruitment boss at the center of a new UK doxxing case is accused of operating an online campaign that targeted the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), anti-racism activists, and executives who recruit Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers. The group Hope Not Hate named the individual after an X account that had grown to tens of thousands of followers before it was taken down.
The account, which public reports say called itself “Big Time Charlie,” allegedly scraped data from LinkedIn and other sites to assemble a public-facing roster of targets. Dozens of people connected to RNLI and anti-racism groups said the posts and lists were disturbing and had real-world consequences, including harassment and safety concerns for those named.
The person at the center of the claims is Tom Watson, described as the owner of Futura Energy Group, a recruitment firm that says it partners with companies operating in AI. Archived online records link him to the Big Time Charlie account, and a trail of posts and location hints connect him to activity in the UK and the US. The account’s deactivation followed scrutiny from Hope Not Hate and media inquiry.
Watson’s representatives have not publicly commented in detail about the allegations. The Guardian’s report notes the doxxing campaign also tied into political figures and groups advocating far-right positions in the UK, highlighting the broader risk that online tools and data scraping can be misused to target people for intimidation.
While doxxing itself is not a new phenomenon, the case underscores ongoing concerns about how data from professional networks and social platforms can be weaponized. It also spotlights the pressure on platforms to curb harmful behavior without undermining legitimate uses of public data.
01
What this means for online safety
For everyday readers, the story is a reminder that online data can travel far beyond its original context. If you work in recruitment, activism, or any public-facing role, be mindful of how personal information can appear in secondary channels, and consider reviewing your privacy and security settings on professional networks.
02
What authorities are saying
Hope Not Hate has raised concerns about the doxxing and potential harassment. The case has sparked questions about how social platforms moderate accounts that publish people’s personal information and whether more rigorous safeguards are needed to prevent misuse of AI and data-scraping tools.
03
Who is involved and what’s alleged
At the heart of the allegations is Tom Watson, a recruitment firm owner linked to Futura Energy Group, and an online identity that allegedly posted targeted data about activists and executives. The accounts and activity described connect to worries about harassment and intimidation aimed at those involved in minority hiring and anti-racism work.
04
What readers can do now
If you’re concerned about doxxing or online harassment, tighten privacy on professional networks, monitor mentions of your name or company, and report suspicious posts to platform safety teams. If you or someone you know feels threatened, contact local authorities and document incidents with screenshots or links when safe to do so.
Investigations by media groups and safety organizations are ongoing. Watch for official statements from involved parties and any platform updates on how they handle doxxing and harassment campaigns in the coming weeks.
06
Quick answers
What is doxxing?
Publishing someone’s private or identifying information online to harass or threaten them.
Who is accused in this case?
Tom Watson, owner of a recruitment firm linked to the Big Time Charlie account, is accused of leading the campaign.
