Yes, web scraping is legal in Washington D.C. when conducted without violating federal or local laws, though compliance with data protection, anti-hacking statutes, and terms of service remains critical. The District’s regulatory framework aligns with federal standards, but recent 2026 amendments to the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act heighten scrutiny on unauthorized data collection. Businesses must avoid scraping personally identifiable information (PII) without consent or breaching anti-circumvention provisions under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).
Key Regulations for Web Scraping in Washington D.C.
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA): Prohibits accessing computer systems “without authorization,” which may encompass scraping data behind login walls or violating website terms of service. The D.C. courts have not yet ruled on CFAA’s application to scraping, but federal precedent suggests liability for circumventing technical barriers.
- District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA): Amended in 2026, the CPPA now explicitly targets deceptive data practices, including scraping PII without disclosure. Violations may trigger fines up to $10,000 per incident under the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) enforcement authority.
- Terms of Service (ToS) Violations: While not a standalone statute, D.C. courts have enforced ToS as binding contracts. Scraping data in contravention of a website’s ToS—particularly for commercial use—may expose businesses to breach-of-contract claims or tortious interference lawsuits.