SB27: SB27 Stalking; offense of doxxing; penalties; protective order; provide

Georgia law does not currently have a specific crime for doxing, the act of publicly posting someone's private information to intimidate or harm them. This bill, called the Georgia Anti-Doxing Act, adds a new section to Georgia's invasion of privacy laws (O.C.G.A. Title 16, Chapter 11, Article 3) that makes it illegal to post another person's personally identifiable information, such as their home address, employer, phone number, or Social Security number, without consent. The bill creates two crimes: doxing, for posting such information with reckless disregard that it could cause fear of stalking or injury, economic harm, or emotional distress; and aggravated doxing, for doing so with actual intent to cause that harm, which requires proof that the harm actually occurred. The bill includes exceptions for reporting crimes to law enforcement and for constitutionally protected speech. It would take effect July 1, 2025, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

• Creates a new misdemeanor crime of doxing for posting someone's personal information with reckless disregard that it could cause fear of harm or economic or emotional injury.
• Makes a second or later doxing conviction a felony punishable by one to two years in prison and a fine of at least $5,000.
• Creates a separate felony crime of aggravated doxing for intentionally posting personal information to cause fear, economic harm, or emotional distress, punishable by two to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• Increases aggravated doxing penalties to five to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine for a second or later conviction.
• Provides exceptions so reporting crimes to law enforcement or engaging in constitutionally protected speech is not treated as doxing.
• Sets rules for where the crime is considered to have occurred, based on where the poster was located or where the victim lives.

The bill affects anyone who posts another person's private information online or through text or email, including on social media, as well as people whose personal information could be exposed in this way. It also affects prosecutors and courts handling these new criminal charges.

People whose home addresses, workplaces, or other personal details are shared online with harmful intent would gain new legal protection, and those who post such information could face jail time and fines, including steeper felony penalties for repeat offenses or cases resulting in serious injury or death.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Georgia Anti-Doxing Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code Section 16-11-93, defining terms like 'personally identifiable information,' 'close relation,' 'significant economic injury,' and 'post.'
• Subsection (b) defines doxing as a misdemeanor, rising to a felony with one to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine for repeat offenses.
• Subsection (c) defines aggravated doxing as a felony punishable by two to five years and a $5,000 fine, with harsher penalties of five to ten years and a $10,000 fine for repeat offenses.
• Subsection (c)(4) applies party-to-a-crime liability if a violation results in serious bodily injury or death to the victim.
• Subsection (d) exempts reporting of criminal activity to law enforcement and lawful, constitutionally protected speech from prosecution.
• Subsection (e) clarifies the law does not limit free speech rights but does prohibit true threats and speech meant to incite imminent lawless action.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as July 1, 2025, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

1. 2026-03-19House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
3. 2025-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
4. 2025-03-11House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-03-10House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-03-06Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-03-06Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-04Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• John Albers (R, SD-056)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Brad Thomas (R, HD-021)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   52 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 1 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #193

• doxing
• online privacy
• stalking laws
• criminal penalties
• personal data protection