特定

• Reading: とくてい
• Romaji: tokutei
• Kanji breakdown: 特 (special/specific) + 定 (determine/fix) → to specifically identify someone
• Pronunciation: /to.ku.te.i/

Meaning

The act of identifying or doxxing someone online — tracking down their real identity, location, or personal details from online clues.

特定 (tokutei, identification) in internet slang means the process of determining someone's real-world identity from their online presence. This can involve analyzing background details in photos, cross-referencing social media accounts, or using metadata. It is most notoriously associated with 2channel and its successor boards where users would collaboratively 特定 people involved in scandals. '特定班' (tokutei han, identification squad) refers to dedicated groups who track people down. While sometimes used for legitimate purposes, it is generally associated with privacy invasion.

Examples

1. 写真の背景から住所特定されたって怖すぎ。 It's terrifying that someone figured out my address just from the background of a photo.
2. ネットに顔出しすると特定されるリスクあるよ。 If you show your face online, there's a risk of getting doxxed.
3. 炎上した人が特定されて個人情報拡散されてた。 The person who got flamed was identified and had their personal info spread everywhere.

Usage Guide

Context: online forums, social media, internet drama

Tone: ominous, cautionary

Do Say

• 特定されないように気をつけてね。 (Be careful not to get doxxed.)
• 写真の位置情報消さないと特定されるよ。 (If you don't remove location data from photos, you could get identified.)

Don't Say

• 人を特定しようとする行為に加担する (Don't participate in doxxing attempts — it's invasive and often illegal)

Common Mistakes

• Using 特定 casually without understanding the serious privacy implications in Japanese internet culture
• Not knowing 特定班 (tokutei han) — the notorious groups who specialize in identifying people online

Origin & History

From 特定 (tokutei, to specify/identify). The internet-specific usage emerged from 2channel culture in the 2000s where users would collaboratively identify people featured in viral content or scandals. The practice is associated with Japan's anonymous internet culture.

Cultural Context

Era: 2000s (2channel era), ongoing

Generation: All internet users

Social background: Universal internet culture

Regional notes: Used across Japan. Reflects the tension between Japan's strong anonymous internet culture and growing privacy concerns.