Well, if the Daily Fail says it, it must be true.
Eeeeh…
Leverage/blackmail works similar to that, yet not always. And we have no idea who is looking in their attics at yearbooks.
What attack?
Sure: Things that are ultimately nbd can be twisted and amplified and used to frighten a target. The target, under duress, harassment, etc. becomes more easily manipulated ("reactions" based on fear) than they otherwise would be.