Yes, scraping public data in Missouri is generally permissible, but compliance hinges on adherence to state and federal laws, including the Missouri Public Records Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.010) and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). While public records are accessible, automated scraping may trigger legal scrutiny if it disrupts systems or violates terms of service.
Key Regulations for Scraping Public Data in Missouri
- Missouri Public Records Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.010): Grants access to public records but permits custodians to deny requests that are “unduly burdensome.” Automated scraping could be deemed excessive if it overwhelms servers or exceeds reasonable query limits.
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Prohibits unauthorized access to computer systems. Aggressive scraping that bypasses security measures (e.g., rate-limiting) risks civil or criminal liability under federal law.
- Local Ordinances and 2026 Compliance Shifts: St. Louis and Kansas City have enacted open data policies requiring compliance with API-based access for bulk requests. The 2026 Missouri Digital Accessibility Act may further restrict scraping of government datasets lacking machine-readable formats.
Scrapers must also consider:
- Terms of Service: Many Missouri government portals explicitly prohibit automated data extraction.
- Privacy Protections: The Missouri Data Privacy Act (effective 2025) restricts scraping of personal data, even from public records.
- Enforcement Trends: The Missouri Attorney General’s 2024 cybersecurity directive signals stricter oversight of data harvesting practices.
Violations may result in cease-and-desist orders, fines, or litigation. Consult legal counsel to align scraping protocols with evolving state and municipal requirements.