Maryland AG Offers Residents New Guidance and Tools to Combat Online Hate and Harassment

Maryland residents now have access to a comprehensive new guidance document designed to help them navigate and respond to instances of online hate, harassment, and cyberbullying. Released by Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, the document, titled “Responding to Online Hate, Harassment, and Cyberbullying in Maryland,” aims to empower individuals, families, educational institutions, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations with practical strategies.

The guidance addresses the multifaceted nature of online hostility, which can manifest as direct threats of violence, doxxing, cyberstalking, anonymous mass messaging, impersonation, the creation of deepfakes, review-bombing, and cyberbullying targeting students. Developed by the Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division in partnership with the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention, the resource provides actionable steps for preserving evidence, reporting harmful online activities, evaluating potential safety risks, and understanding applicable legal protections and reporting avenues.

The Attorney General’s office emphasized that online hate and harassment extend beyond mere digital words, having the potential to inflict significant harm and instill fear in individuals and their loved ones. This new guidance is intended to equip Marylanders with the necessary tools to safeguard themselves and assert their rights, assuring them that the Office of the Attorney General will support them when they encounter hatred online.

The document further clarifies the distinction between speech that, while hateful or offensive, may be protected under the First Amendment, and unlawful conduct. Examples of unlawful conduct include true threats, stalking, harassment, incitement to violence, extortion, or actions that impede access to essential services such as housing, employment, education, or public spaces. The guidance also furnishes specific tools tailored for various groups, including individuals, families, schools, youth groups, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and event organizers.

In addition to outlining individual responses, the guidance details the roles and responsibilities of various entities involved in addressing online hate and harassment. These include the Civil Rights Division, the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention, the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, local human rights agencies, law enforcement, and other community-based resources.

For individuals facing immediate danger, the guidance strongly advises contacting 911. To report hate crimes or hate bias incidents, Marylanders can submit a complaint through the Civil Rights Complaint Form, call the Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-866-481-8361, email stophate@oag.maryland.gov, or utilize the No Home for Hate reporting portal. A Spanish version of the guidance is also available.

The Civil Rights Division, established on January 1, 2024, is tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws at state, federal, and local levels. It investigates allegations of civil rights violations and seeks remedies such as policy changes, restitution, and civil penalties, representing the State of Maryland in actions addressing discriminatory practices. The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention works to develop strategies for preventing and responding to hate crimes, reviewing relevant laws and policies, supporting training, and offering recommendations to enhance the state’s response to hate incidents.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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