1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 27. While the intent to curb online harassment is understandable, the current language of this "anti-doxing" bill is dangerously overbroad and poses a significant threat to First Amendment rights and civic transparency in Georgia. 1. Criminalizing Public Information The bill’s definition of "personally identifiable information" is so broad that it could criminalize the sharing of information that is already a matter of public record. Under this statute, an individual could face criminal charges for simply publishing a public official's name or workplace if it is deemed to cause "substantial life disruption"—a vague standard that invites selective prosecution. 2. Chilling Effect on Accountability SB 27 creates a "reckless disregard" standard rather than requiring specific intent to harm. This low threshold could be used to intimidate and silence journalists, community activists, and citizens who use social media to hold law enforcement or government officials accountable. For example, filming a first responder and sharing their identity online—a core component of modern civic oversight—could be prosecuted under this act. 3. Redundancy and Misdirection Georgia already has robust stalking and harassment laws. Instead of providing new protections, SB 27 adds a layer of legal ambiguity that will likely lead to costly litigation and the suppression of protected speech. I urge you to protect the constitutional rights of all Georgians and VOTE NO on SB 27. We should not sacrifice our right to free expression and public accountability for a flawed piece of legislation that fails to address the root causes of online harm.