Bill criminalizing ‘doxxing’ in Georgia advances in spite of free speech concerns

By: Jill Nolin, Georgia Recorder, March 25, 2025 

An attempt to crack down on so-called doxxing has been met with concerns from attorneys and First Amendment advocates who say the proposal is too broad and would hamper free speech. 

Sarah Brewerton-Palmer, the foundation’s president, said the doxxing issue is legitimate and needs to be addressed. But she argued that the proposal being considered is overly broad, particularly with the lower-level offense that includes situations where the offender demonstrated reckless disregard.  If passed, she said the bill would have a chilling effect on First Amendment protected speech – and could even ensnare journalists. 

“Senate Bill 27 presents little realistic likelihood of remedying those ills, while exposing innocent speakers and writers to arrest and prosecution that could be triggered by nothing more than publishing an already-prominent person’s name,” she said.