Rising Threats to Public Servants Highlight Critical Gaps in Privacy Laws
A recent report has shed light on the increasing violent threats facing public servants across the United States, revealing significant deficiencies in state-level consumer privacy laws that are meant to protect these individuals. The study, authored by Justin Sherman of the Security Project at the Public Service Alliance, underscores a troubling trend—a “data-to-violence pipeline” that exposes civil servants to greater risk.
The report emphasizes that while federal immigration agents’ behavior has sometimes been labeled as “violence” and “doxing,” its focus rests on a more traditional understanding of these terms. This entails the deliberate sharing of sensitive personal information, such as home addresses, with malicious intent, elevating the risk for public servants.
Sherman conducted an analysis of 19 different privacy laws, concluding that these statutes, although empowering consumers to prevent data brokers from selling their personal information, fail to extend similar protections to public employees. Notably, these laws do not empower civil servants to demand the redaction of their personal information from state agencies’ public records. Additionally, data brokers remain unimpeded when it comes to selling information from public sources, meaning that home addresses can still be accessed without restraint. The absence of a “private right of action” only exacerbates the issue, leaving individuals without recourse if their privacy is violated.
This vulnerability is disturbing in light of the reported surge in violent threats against public servants. A separate analysis conducted by the Public Service Alliance and the Impact Project indicated that nearly one-third of violent threats reported from 2015 to 2025 were directed at local officials, including school board members and election workers. This trend underscores a significant disparity, as threatening statements were found to occur at almost nine times the rate of physical attacks, indicating that the potential for escalation is high.
Adding to the discourse, a 2024 report from the Brennan Center for Justice highlighted that women and Democrats tend to report a greater increase in the severity of abuse since taking public office compared to their male and Republican counterparts. These insights illustrate the complex landscape of public service in which individuals must operate.
The report recounts alarmingly specific threats, including a case last year in Minnesota where a man was charged with plotting the assassination of state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. The individual possessed a list of numerous public officials, along with tools to access personal information that could facilitate harassment.
In response, the report advocates for new legislative measures aimed at addressing the privacy vulnerabilities faced by public servants. It calls for a careful balance to be struck between First Amendment rights and the need to protect personal information digital records contain. Lawmakers may consider regulating the accessibility of public records to deter misuse without undermining the core goals of accountability and transparency.
Sherman’s analysis highlights the unique risks public servants face in an era where data accessibility is at an all-time high. The nature of data aggregation by brokers means that sensitive personal information can be easily weaponized, leading to harassment and stalking, even across state lines. Historically, accessing public records required effort and intent, but the landscape has shifted, and so must the protective measures in place to safeguard those who serve the public.
In conclusion, the findings of this report signify a pressing need for comprehensive legislative reform tailored specifically for public servants. As aggressive tactics from cybercriminals and those intent on harm continue to evolve, so too must the frameworks that seek to protect at-risk individuals within our communities.