Yes, scraping public data in Tennessee is generally permissible, but strict adherence to federal and state privacy laws is required. Publicly accessible information from government databases or court records may be collected, yet automated scraping risks violating terms of service or the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act if it bypasses technical barriers.
Key Regulations for Scraping Public Data in Tennessee
- Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA): Governs access to state and local government records; scraping must not circumvent statutory exemptions (e.g., personal identifiers in court filings).
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Federal enforcement applies if scraping involves unauthorized access to protected systems, even if data is public.
- Local Ordinances: Nashville’s 2024 Open Data Policy mandates compliance with rate limits and prohibits scraping for commercial re-use without prior approval.
Scrapers must avoid harvesting restricted data (e.g., SSNs, juvenile records) under TPRA § 10-7-504. Courts in Tennessee have not yet ruled on scraping’s legality, but 2026 legislative proposals aim to clarify automated data collection rules. Always verify source terms and consult counsel before deploying scrapers.