The prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Backbiting is to mention your brother with that which he dislikes.” [Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud]
Imam al-Barkawi said in al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya:
Backbiting is to mention the negative points of a specific brother who is known to those being addressed, or to indicate these points or make them known by the hand or any other limbs
Allama Abu Sa`id al-Khadimi explained:
“(A specific brother who is known to those one being addressed) for the who is not specified or known would not be backbiting.” [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya fi Sharh al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya, 3: 183)
However brother it is safer not to talk about any one unless with good as the prohpet said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say that which is good or remain silent.”
Bukhary 73:158