Anti-Doxing & Retaliatory Harassment Protection Act

Section 1. Title
This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Anti-Doxing & Retaliatory Harassment Protection Act.”

Section 2. Legislative Findings & Intent
The Legislature finds that:


Individuals increasingly face harassment, intimidation, and threats through the malicious publication of personal identifying information online;


Such conduct is often used to retaliate against lawful speech, advocacy, protest, journalism, or political expression;


Existing laws do not adequately address coordinated digital harassment and retaliatory doxing campaigns;


Therefore, the purpose of this act is to:


Protect individuals from malicious exposure of personal information intended to intimidate, threaten, or harass;


Safeguard lawful speech and civic participation;


Establish clear remedies, enforcement mechanisms, and penalties for unlawful doxing activity;


Preserve constitutionally protected speech, journalism, and public-interest reporting.



Section 3. Definitions
For the purposes of this act:


“Doxing” means the intentional publication or distribution of personal identifying information without consent, where such publication is intended to cause harassment, intimidation, threats, stalking, or retaliation.


“Personal Identifying Information” includes:


Home address;


Personal telephone number;


Email address not publicly used for business purposes;


Social Security number;


Financial account information;


Information regarding family members or children;


Real-time location information;




“Protected Activity” includes lawful speech, protest, advocacy, journalism, political activity, religious activity, or participation in public affairs.



Section 4. Prohibited Conduct
(a) No person shall knowingly publish or distribute another individual’s personal identifying information with the intent to:


Harass;


Intimidate;


Threaten;


Incite violence or stalking;


Retaliate against the individual for engaging in protected activity;


(b) It shall be unlawful to knowingly encourage or coordinate mass harassment or targeting through the publication of such information.

Section 5. Aggravating Factors
Enhanced penalties may apply where:


The victim is targeted due to political speech, journalism, advocacy, or public participation;


The conduct results in credible threats, stalking, swatting, or physical harm;


The information involves minors or family members;


The conduct is repeated or coordinated among multiple individuals;



Section 6. Civil Remedies
(a) Any individual harmed by conduct prohibited under this act may seek:


Injunctive relief, including expedited removal orders where permitted by law;


Compensatory damages;


Statutory damages;


Attorney’s fees and costs;


(b) Courts may issue protective orders necessary to prevent continued harassment or exposure.

Section 7. Criminal Penalties
(a) Any person who knowingly violates this act shall be subject to:


Civil fines;


Misdemeanor or felony charges where conduct results in credible threats, stalking, or physical harm;


(b) Repeated or aggravated violations shall be subject to enhanced penalties.

Section 8. Platform Reporting & Cooperation
(a) Online platforms operating within the state shall:


Maintain clear reporting mechanisms for unlawful doxing content;


Respond to valid complaints within a reasonable timeframe;


(b) Nothing in this act shall require platforms to violate federal law or constitutional protections.

Section 9. Protections for Lawful Speech
Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit or impair:


Lawful journalism;


Reporting on matters of public concern;


Publication of lawfully obtained public records where not accompanied by unlawful intent;


Constitutionally protected speech or commentary;



Section 10. Oversight and Enforcement
(a) The New York State Attorney General shall have authority to:


Investigate violations;


Bring civil enforcement actions;


Coordinate with law enforcement agencies where appropriate;


(b) The Attorney General may issue guidance and regulations necessary to implement this act.

Section 11. Severability
If any provision of this act is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions.

Section 12. Effective Date
This act shall take effect within one hundred eighty (180) days following adoption.