California already has long-standing criminal and civil anti-doxxing laws on the books.
- Criminal Doxxing Law (California Penal Code § 653.2): This long-standing statute makes it a misdemeanor to electronically distribute someone’s personal identifying information (including addresses or digital images) without consent. It applies if the person acts with the intent to place the victim in fear and for the purpose of causing unwanted physical contact or harassment by a third party. Violators face up to one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. [1, 2]
- Civil Doxxing Law (California Civil Code § 1708.89): Enacted under AB 1979, this law allows victims of doxxing to sue their offenders directly in civil court for financial damages and to obtain immediate court injunctions ordering the content to be taken down. [1, 2]
Now California has a powerful anti-freedom of the press law.