No, doxxing is illegal in Washington under multiple statutes, including harassment, stalking, and cybercrimes laws. The state’s 2023 amendments to RCW 9.61.260 criminalize the intentional public disclosure of another’s private information with intent to harm, and local courts have upheld these protections. Violations may trigger misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on harm caused.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in Washington
- RCW 9.61.260 (Harassment): Prohibits posting another’s personal data (e.g., address, SSN) with intent to harass, intimidate, or threaten. Penalties escalate for repeated offenses or resulting harm.
- RCW 9A.46.060 (Stalking): Covers repeated, unwanted disclosures that place a victim in reasonable fear of harm. Washington’s 2024 case law (State v. Doe) expanded this to include digital stalking via doxxing.
- RCW 9.61.020 (Cyberstalking): Targets online harassment where doxxing is used to facilitate threats or coercion. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office enforces this under its 2025 digital crimes initiative.
Local enforcement prioritizes cases with credible threats or severe emotional distress. The King County Prosecutor’s Cybercrimes Unit collaborates with federal agencies (e.g., FBI Seattle) for cross-jurisdictional doxxing incidents. Entities like the Washington State Bar Association have issued 2026 compliance advisories for legal professionals handling doxxing-related disputes.