After redistricting fight, lawmakers want to make doxxing a crime
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Indiana lawmakers are pursuing legislation to make "doxxing" a crime.
Why it matters: More than a dozen lawmakers were targeted with threats, online and otherwise, during Indiana's redistricting debate.
Driving the news: Senate Bill 140 would outlaw "doxxing," the posting of someone's personal information — such as their address, phone number or employer — to communicate a threat.
- Doxxing would be a misdemeanor, but could rise to a felony if the posting results in the person or someone close to them suffering serious injury or death.
- SB140 passed the Senate's Corrections and Criminal Law Committee Tuesday, 6-1.
What they're saying: "How anybody is 45 years old, living in their mother's basement, never having a relationship with anybody and getting on a computer and doing this stuff, swatting on down, is the most egregious thing," said Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis), committee chair.
- "My God … Can we be adults about this?"
- Freeman voted in favor of the bill.
Catch up quick: Sen. Greg Goode was one of the first victims of such threats. He was targeted in a swatting incident after President Trump slammed him by name on social media for not supporting the redistricting legislation sought by the White House.
- Hours after that post, the Terre Haute Police Department received an email claiming "harm had been done to persons" in Goode's home. The message was false and deemed a swatting attempt.
- At least a dozen other lawmakers were targeted with similar harassment and intimidation.
The other side: Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) was the lone vote against the bill, expressing concerns about some language being too broad.
What's next: Because of those concerns, the legislation is expected to receive more tweaking when it hits the Senate floor next week.