Anti-Doxing Legislation

In July 2023 Washington codified its first anti-doxing law in RCW 4.24.792, where publication of an individual’s personal identifying information is made without consent and with the knowledge it will be used to harm the individual or there is reckless disregard for that risk.  There are plenty of exceptions, but this will empower individuals who become the target of undue attention on social media to bring civil action, and if they prevail, to potentially recover compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory damages of $5K per violation, costs and reasonable attorney fees, injunctive relief, and any other relief the court may deem appropriate. 

The impetus for this legislation was to curtail real threats of harm that follow posts or calls from others to harass or intimidate individuals.

It will be interesting to see how this new law is applied in various cases and developed further.  At the very least, it is one more tool to point out to social media platforms to take down content in violation of the law.