Zoe Quinn and Alex Lifschitz launch ‘online anti-harassment task force’

Developer Zoe Quinn and producer Alex Lifschitz have formed a new company called Crash Override aimed at providing support for those targeted by online harassment.

The initiative is described as a support network and assistant group for victims “composed entirely of experienced survivors”.

Crash Override plans to help people protect their private information as well as offer guidance and legal advice. The resource centre already contains documentation on ways to prevent doxing, in which a person’s private details are disclosed online without consent.

The firm noted it will in no way combat harassment with counter-harassment.

“Crash Override is a support network and assistance group for victims and targets of unique forms of online harassment, composed entirely of experienced survivors,” read a statement on the company’s website.

“Our network includes experts in information security, white hat hacking, PR, law enforcement, legal, threat monitoring, and counselling. Most, if not all, of our agents are former clients. Prior to formal launch, our trial runs had great success in helping victims lock down their information, prevent SWATing attempts, and feel like they were back in control of their online life.

“Crash Override’s process is transparent and thorough. We are not a vigilante group and do not take retaliatory action against abusers. We focus on safety, security, and recovery from incidents of online harassment, using well-established, humane, and transparent channels to disempower abuse and reduce the ability abusers have to perpetuate it. We do not fight harassment with more harassment.

“We work with law enforcement, media, and social infrastructure to respond to threats, and encourage informed changes in policy and systems to proactively reduce future abuse.”

The company’s launch comes after months of intensified abuse toward people in the game industry or those associated with it. As well as Zoe Quinn, victims include critic and Tropes vs Women in Video Games creator Anita Sarkeesian and Giant Spacekat developer Brianna Wu, both of whom have been forced from their homes after receiving threats to their lives.

For more information on Crash Override, visit the website.