Yes, web scraping is generally legal in Indiana, provided it complies with federal and state laws, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and Indiana’s data privacy statutes. Courts in the Seventh Circuit, which includes Indiana, have ruled that scraping publicly accessible data does not violate the CFAA unless it involves unauthorized access or circumvention of technical barriers. However, scraping personal or proprietary data without consent may trigger liability under Indiana’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act or the Indiana Consumer Protection Act.
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in Indiana
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Prohibits accessing computers without authorization or exceeding authorized access. Scraping data behind login walls or violating terms of service may violate this federal law, as seen in hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn (2019).
- Indiana Uniform Trade Secrets Act (IUTSA): Protects proprietary business information. Unauthorized scraping of trade secrets—such as confidential datasets—can result in civil liability under IUTSA § 24-2-3-1 et seq.
- Indiana Consumer Protection Act (ICPA): Regulates deceptive practices. Misrepresenting scraping activities to obtain data (e.g., via fake accounts) may violate ICPA § 24-5-0.5-1 et seq., particularly if it harms consumers or competitors.
Note: Indiana’s 2026 legislative session may introduce new data privacy laws (e.g., akin to the Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act), potentially expanding restrictions on automated data collection. Businesses should monitor updates from the Indiana Attorney General’s Office and the Indiana Department of Consumer Protection to ensure compliance.