No, doxxing is not legal in North Carolina under state and federal laws. The state criminalizes the malicious disclosure of another’s private information with intent to harass, threaten, or intimidate, as outlined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-195.1. Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. § 875(c), may also apply if interstate communication is involved. Local law enforcement, including the Raleigh Police Department’s Cyber Crimes Unit, actively investigates doxxing cases under these frameworks.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in North Carolina
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-195.1: Prohibits publishing or disseminating another’s private information (e.g., home address, Social Security number) with intent to harass, threaten, or incite violence. Violations are Class 2 misdemeanors, escalating to Class H felonies if the target suffers harm or the actor has prior convictions.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-277.3: Addresses cyberstalking, including repeated electronic communications that place a person in reasonable fear of harm. Doxxing often overlaps with this statute when combined with threats or persistent harassment.
- Federal 18 U.S.C. § 875(c): Criminalizes interstate transmission of threats or private information with intent to extort or harm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina has pursued cases involving doxxing tied to online harassment campaigns.
Local ordinances, such as those enforced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Digital Forensics Unit, further align with state statutes to address emerging doxxing tactics. Compliance with these laws requires careful review of intent, harm, and jurisdictional scope.