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Bill

Bill

S 2785

Establishes crime of doxxing.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tony Bucco and 2 co-sponsors

New Jersey bill creates criminal penalties for doxxing—intentionally publishing private personal information online to harass, intimidate, or endanger individuals.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
#crimproced #crimes
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Bill Summary · S 2785

Legislative bill overview

S 2785 creates a new criminal offense in New Jersey specifically targeting "doxxing"—the practice of publicly releasing private personal information about individuals with intent to harass, intimidate, or facilitate harm. The bill would establish penalties for those who maliciously disclose identifying information like home addresses, phone numbers, or workplace details online.

Why is this important

Doxxing has become an increasingly common form of harassment and intimidation, particularly targeting public figures, activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens. Creating explicit legal consequences could deter this behavior and provide victims with a clearer path to criminal prosecution, though enforcement and defining "intent to harass" presents practical challenges.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Critics may argue that criminalizing information disclosure, even if harmful, could chill legitimate speech and journalism, particularly around public figures or matters of public interest
  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill must carefully distinguish between malicious doxxing and legitimate sharing of public record information, newsworthy disclosures, or accidental personal information release
  • Enforcement challenges: Proving criminal intent to harass versus recklessness is difficult; determining which online platforms bear responsibility versus individual posters requires clarity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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