No, doxxing is illegal in Indiana under multiple statutes, including harassment, invasion of privacy, and stalking laws. The Indiana General Assembly expanded protections in 2023 with IC 35-45-10.5, criminalizing the unauthorized disclosure of personal data with intent to intimidate or threaten. Violations may result in felony charges, depending on harm caused.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in Indiana
- Indiana Code § 35-45-10.5 (2023): Prohibits the intentional dissemination of another’s private information (e.g., SSN, home address, financial data) with the intent to harass, threaten, or incite violence. Penalties escalate to Level 6 felonies for severe harm or repeat offenses.
- Stalking Statutes (IC 35-45-10): Addresses repeated, unwanted disclosures of personal information that place a victim in reasonable fear of physical harm. Courts consider digital patterns, including social media amplification, as aggravating factors.
- Local Ordinances: Marion County and Indianapolis have enacted supplementary protections under municipal codes, empowering law enforcement to act preemptively against doxxing campaigns targeting public officials or marginalized communities.
Violators face civil liability for damages under IC 34-11-2-15, allowing victims to seek injunctions and monetary compensation. The Indiana Attorney General’s Cybersecurity Unit actively monitors doxxing trends, collaborating with the FBI’s Indianapolis field office on cross-jurisdictional cases. Compliance with these laws is non-negotiable for digital platforms operating in Indiana, as failure to moderate doxxing content may trigger enforcement under the state’s Unfair and Deceptive Acts statute (IC 24-5-0.5).