Us Congress House Bill HB3547

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/18/23
• Refer: 5/18/23

Caption

Doxing Threat Assessment Act

Impact

The introduction of this bill reflects a growing concern regarding cyber harassment and its implications for national security. By requiring coordination with the Privacy Office and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within DHS, the bill seeks to balance the imperative of bolstering security measures while addressing potential civil rights concerns that arise from initiatives to curb online harassment. The resulting threat assessment will serve as a resource for local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies, enhancing their operational capabilities in identifying and combating these threats effectively.

Summary

House Bill 3547, known as the Doxing Threat Assessment Act, mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create and disseminate a comprehensive threat assessment focused on cyber harassment tactics such as doxing, particularly as utilized by terrorists and foreign malicious actors. The bill aims to enhance understanding and prevention of these tactics by outlining various methodologies and incidents linked to cyber harassment, increasing the overall cybersecurity posture of the U.S. against these evolving threats.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HB 3547 may stem from the balance between national security interests and individual privacy rights. As the bill entails the identification and overview of cyber harassment tactics that could be viewed as invasive by some, critics may argue it risks infringing upon civil liberties or could lead to misuse of the information gathered. Furthermore, discussions about what constitutes 'cyber harassment' and the implications of defining particular acts as terrorist in nature could also provoke debate, particularly concerning freedom of speech and expression.