An Act prohibiting the malicious doxing of personal information
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to prevent the intentional sharing of private personal information with the intent to harass or intimidate individuals. It seeks to address the practice of ‘doxing,’ which involves publicly revealing someone’s private details like address or phone number, often with malicious intent. The legislation intends to make this type of activity a crime in Massachusetts.
Key provisions
- It prohibits the malicious disclosure of personal information.
- The bill defines ‘malicious doxing’ as intentionally revealing private information with the intent to cause harm or distress.
- Individuals found guilty of doxing could face criminal charges.
- The law applies to both online and offline actions.
- It establishes a legal framework to address the harm caused by doxing.
- The legislation includes provisions for potential civil remedies for victims.
- It clarifies that the intent to harass or intimidate is a key element of the offense.
- The law aims to protect individuals from online harassment and stalking.
Who is affected
- Individuals
- Victims of online harassment
- Residents of Massachusetts
- Online users
- Potential targets of doxing
Notable changes
- The bill introduces a specific legal definition and prohibition against ‘malicious doxing.’
Bill text
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Sponsors
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2 on record
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Cosponsor
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