October 19, 2026 | Kentucky Law
Fact. Kentucky has a specific law that can make it illegal to post people’s information online in certain circumstances. If you’ve been accused of doxing someone or you’re worried that something you posted crossed a line, it’s helpful to know what the law actually says.
The legal landscape surrounding online conduct is shifting rapidly as states attempt to curb harassment and cyberbullying. Beyond Kentucky’s statutes, there are also federal regulations, and local harassment ordinances that may also come into play, depending on the intent behind the disclosure and the resulting harm to the individual.
Understanding the distinction between public record dissemination and malicious targeting is essential for anyone navigating these digital complexities. Read on to learn more so you know what you’re facing as a defendant.
What Does Kentucky Consider “Doxing”?
Kentucky’s statute doesn’t use the word “doxing.” The offense is called “dissemination of personally identifying information,” found at KRS § 525.085. “Dissemination” means electronically publishing, posting, or otherwise disclosing information to a public internet site or public forum. That can include social media, online forums, public websites, and other spaces anyone online can see.
Private messages may raise other legal issues depending on their content and circumstances, but this statute focuses on public online disclosure. Posting information about someone is not automatically a crime.
To convict someone under this law, the prosecution generally has to prove three things:
- The person acted with the intent to intimidate, abuse, threaten, harass, or frighten a Kentucky resident
- They intentionally disseminated identifying information about that person or certain immediate family or household members
- The disclosure would cause a reasonable person to fear physical injury to themselves or an immediate family or household member
If the state can’t prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, it won’t be able to secure a conviction.
What Information Is Protected Under Kentucky’s Doxing Law?
Kentucky defines personally identifying information broadly. It covers far more than a home address.
Protected information can include:
- Social Security numbers and other government-issued identifiers
- Dates of birth
- Home or physical addresses
- Email addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Financial account information
- Credit and debit card numbers
- Biometric information
- Health and medical data
- Insurance information
- School locations
- Employment locations
The statute also protects this kind of information when it belongs to certain immediate family members or household members of the person being targeted.
Is It Always Doxing When You Share Someone’s Public Information?
No. Sharing information that’s already public is not automatically a violation of Kentucky’s doxing law. People share names, business addresses, and contact details online constantly without breaking the law.
But the fact that information is public doesn’t on its own mean posting it can never violate KRS § 525.085. The law does not focus only on where the information came from. It also looks at why it was posted and the effect the disclosure would have.
Specifically, the prosecution must address whether the person acted with the intent to intimidate, abuse, threaten, harass, or frighten someone and whether the disclosure would cause a reasonable person to fear physical injury.
What Are the Penalties for Doxing in Kentucky?
A basic violation of KRS § 525.085 is a Class A misdemeanor, which can carry up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The charge becomes more serious if the dissemination results in physical harm. If it results in physical injury to the victim or an immediate family or household member, the offense becomes a Class D felony. If it results in serious physical injury, it is a Class C felony. If it results in death, it is a Class B felony.
The sentences for these categories of crimes include:
- Class D felony: One to five years
- Class C felony: Five to 10 years
- Class B felony: 10 to 20 years
The actual sentence depends on what the person is convicted of, their criminal history, and the circumstances of the case.
Contact the Louisville Criminal Defense Lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
A doxing charge can carry serious consequences for your freedom and criminal record. These cases often turn on intent, context, and the available evidence. If you’ve been charged with dissemination of personally identifying information in Louisville or elsewhere in Kentucky, Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help you protect your rights and build a strong criminal defense.
For more information, contact the Louisville criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers give us a call today at (502) 371-7000 or visit us at our Louisville Law Office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Louisville
214 Clay Street, Suite A,
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 371-7000