No. Doxxing—publishing another person’s private information with intent to harass, threaten, or incite violence—violates Pennsylvania’s harassment, stalking, and cyberharassment statutes, including the 2020 Protection from Abuse Act amendments and the 2025 Cyber Harassment Task Force enforcement directives. Criminal penalties range from third-degree misdemeanors to felony charges if the conduct escalates to threats of serious bodily harm. Civil liability under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8316 may also apply, exposing offenders to injunctions and monetary damages. Local district attorneys, such as Philadelphia’s Digital Crimes Unit, actively pursue cases under these frameworks.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in Pennsylvania
- Harassment Statute (18 Pa. C.S. § 2709): Prohibits repeated, non-consensual dissemination of personal data with intent to harass, including home addresses, phone numbers, or financial records. Violations escalate to felony charges if the victim faces credible threats.
- Cyberharassment of a Minor (18 Pa. C.S. § 2709.1): Imposes stricter penalties for doxxing involving minors, mandating mandatory restitution and potential registration under Megan’s Law if the disclosed information facilitates contact with the child.
- Protection from Abuse Act (35 P.S. § 10185): Allows victims to seek emergency civil protection orders against doxxers, with courts empowered to order content removal and digital forensic audits under the 2026 Electronic Evidence Preservation Act.