RELEASE: ADL-Backed Anti-Doxing Bill Signed Into Law by Oregon Governor Brown

RELEASE: ADL-Backed Anti-Doxing Bill Signed Into Law by Oregon Governor Brown

For Immediate Release

June 16, 2021

Contact:
Miri Cypers, Pacific Northwest Regional Director
MCypers

Seattle, WA, June 16, 2021 … ADL’s (the Anti-Defamation League) Pacific Northwest Region applauds Oregon’s legislative leadership and Governor Brown in addressing the rising threat of doxing following the signing of House Bill 3047, Oregon’s new anti-doxing law.

“We are thrilled that Oregon has taken concrete action in addressing the rising threat of doxing – a malicious online act that ruins individuals’ lives. This bill is a good first step in addressing online hate and protecting victims and targets of doxing but there is still so much to do” said Miri Cypers, ADL Pacific Northwest Regional Director. “ADL is proud to have worked directly with policymakers on the language of the bill to ensure that the bill would not only address the threat of doxing, but also protect First Amendment rights. We believe this bill does just that.”

Doxing is the posting of private or identifying information about an individual, group or organization with the intent that the information be used against the target for an unlawful purpose. These actions are a severe threat to our community and disproportionately impact the ability of historically marginalized communities to be safe in both digital and physical spaces—one in three individuals harassed online attribute the abuse to their identity. Today’s bill allows individuals who have been stalked, harassed, or injured as a result of being doxed to seek a civil cause of action against perpetrators. By being codified into Oregon state law, communities are protected and victims will be able to hold perpetrators accountable for their malicious actions.

According to a 2021 ADL report , 41 percent of Americans experienced online harassment over the last twelve months, and 27 percent experienced severe harassment, including sexual harassment, stalking, physical threats, or sustained harassment. Nine percent of victims were doxed. As a result, many of the victims were affected in intimate ways including trouble sleeping, had depressive or suicidal thoughts, and have been impacted economically. In response to these trends, 87.5 percent of Americans want policymakers to strengthen laws to prevent such acts.

ADL is on the frontlines in the fight against online hate and extremism. In March, we announced the REPAIR Plan to fight online hate and extremism. The REPAIR Plan encompasses work like Backspace Hate, our initiative supporting targets of online harassment by raising awareness and passing legislation to better hold perpetrators accountable for their actions online. House Bill 3047 brings us one step closer to giving targets of online harassment adequate access to justice.

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