Yes, scraping public data in Indiana is generally permissible, but strict adherence to federal and state privacy laws is required. Public records under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) may be scraped if accessed lawfully and without circumventing technical barriers. However, unauthorized scraping of protected personal data risks violating the Indiana Consumer Protection Act and potential federal laws like the CFAA.
Key Regulations for Scraping Public Data in Indiana
- Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA): Permits access to public records but prohibits scraping that disrupts government systems or accesses exempted records (e.g., juvenile records, trade secrets). Violations may trigger APRA enforcement by the Indiana Public Access Counselor.
- Indiana Consumer Protection Act (ICPA): Prohibits deceptive data collection practices. Scrapers must avoid misrepresenting intent or harvesting personal data without consent, as enforced by the Indiana Attorney General’s office.
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Federal law criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems. Indiana courts may apply CFAA to aggressive scraping that bypasses CAPTCHAs or violates terms of service, as seen in HiQ Labs v. LinkedIn (2022).
Local compliance shifts in 2026 include stricter APRA guidance on automated requests and potential amendments to the ICPA targeting AI-driven data aggregation. Scrapers should monitor updates from the Indiana Office of Technology and the Public Access Counselor to avoid penalties.