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Bill

HB 678

Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act; create to prevent release of personal information with intent to harass.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Willie Bailey and 28 co-sponsors

Mississippi bill creates criminal penalties for intentionally releasing someone's personal information online with intent to harass, targeting doxxing campaigns.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 678

Legislative bill overview

HB 678 would create new criminal penalties in Mississippi for the intentional release of someone's personal information (doxxing) with the intent to harass, intimidate, or incite harm against that person. The bill aims to protect individuals from targeted online harassment campaigns that use publicly available or private data to facilitate abuse.

Why is this important

Doxxing has become an increasingly common tactic in online harassment, potentially exposing victims to real-world threats, stalking, and violence. Without specific anti-doxxing legislation, prosecutors may struggle to address these cases under existing laws, leaving victims with limited legal recourse despite significant personal safety risks.

Potential points of contention

  • Free speech concerns: Critics may argue the bill could criminalize legitimate sharing of public information or investigative journalism, depending on how "intent to harass" is legally defined and applied
  • Definitional ambiguity: The distinction between protected speech/activism and criminal doxxing relies heavily on proving subjective intent, which could lead to inconsistent enforcement or chilling effects on lawful expression
  • Scope of "personal information": Unclear whether the bill covers only home addresses/phone numbers or extends to other data like employment, financial records, or social media handles, affecting its practical application

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

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