More than half of U.S. appellate court judges have had their personal information exposed online — including home addresses, phone numbers, family names, and even case-related rulings — putting them at increasing risk of retaliation, threats, and violence. According to a study by Incogni, a data deletion and privacy protection firm, an estimated 56% of federal judges in the 12 regional U.S. circuit courts have been listed on people search sites and databases managed by largely unregulated data brokers.
This exposure raises serious concerns about judicial safety — not just for federal judges, but for law enforcement, prosecutors, and public servants across all levels of government. In an era where doxxing, swatting, and ideologically motivated violence are becoming increasingly common, the legal system itself is under personal threat.
What the Study Found
Out of 270 federal appellate judges analyzed:
- 56% had personal data listed across multiple data broker platforms.
- Roughly 50 judges appeared on five or more sites, amplifying the risk of repeated exposure.
- The researchers only needed basic details — name, age, city, and state — to track down addresses and phone numbers.
- Some records included slight inaccuracies (e.g., spelling errors, mismatched birthdates), but these were easily resolved using algorithmic matching tools — the same tools available to threat actors.
Incogni’s findings paint a disturbing picture: With little effort, anyone — from an angry litigant to an extremist — could identify where a judge lives, who their relatives are, and what decisions they’ve made in court. That level of exposure isn’t just a privacy issue — it’s a national security flaw.
A History of Real-World Consequences
These concerns are far from hypothetical.
- In July 2020, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas’s 20-year-old son was shot and killed at her home in New Jersey by a disgruntled attorney who had used online data to locate her.
- Just this month, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s sister was reportedly targeted with a bomb threat following a politically charged ruling — a chilling reminder that threats can extend to family members.
In response to these and other threats, lawmakers across multiple states are now moving to protect judges from the shadow world of data brokering.
Daniel’s Law and State-Led Protections
Following the murder of Judge Salas’s son, New Jersey passed “Daniel’s Law”, named in his memory. The law:
- Requires data brokers to remove personal information of judges, law enforcement officers, and other at-risk public servants within 10 days of request.
- Imposes strict financial penalties for non-compliance.
Since its passage:
- Over 100 data brokers have been sued for alleged violations of the law.
- Atlas Data Privacy, a consumer privacy company, has taken a leading role in legal battles against non-compliant brokers and is advocating similar protections nationwide.
Vermont is now leading the next wave of legislation. A new bill, spearheaded by Representative Monique Priestley, recently passed the state House and now heads to the Senate. Priestley is pushing back against what she calls “corporate intimidation and lobbyist pressure” to weaken the bill. A similar, broader version passed both chambers last year but was vetoed by the governor.
“Vermont will not back down,” she said, reinforcing the growing movement against the unchecked power of the data broker industry.
Federal Action and National Implications
In December 2022, President Joe Biden signed a federal version of Daniel’s Law, extending protections to federal judges and Supreme Court justices. While this was a step forward, it still leaves many state and local judges vulnerable unless states pass their own legislation — as Vermont is now attempting.
“Personal safety concerns are the daily reality for most judges, yet their personal data is not just accessible online — it’s been commercialized,” said Darius Belejevas, head of Incogni.
In other words: privacy has become a product, and our judicial system is caught in the crosshairs.
Additional Research Shows Widespread Fear and Threats
A separate study published in November — based on a survey of 398 state judges — revealed:
- Over 50% had been threatened during their career.
- 2% had been physically attacked.
- Among judges who had never been targeted, 81% still expressed fear that their personal information could be posted online.
This isn’t paranoia. It’s a warning shot.
Conclusion: Privacy Shouldn’t Be Optional for Judges
The role of a judge is supposed to be impartial, shielded from public pressure and private threats. But when a judge’s home address is a few clicks away, how impartial can they remain — and how safe can their families be?
This is not about hiding from the public. It’s about preserving the integrity of the judiciary, ensuring that those who interpret the law are not bullied, intimidated, or violently targeted simply for doing their job.
Data brokers are operating in the shadows of the internet economy — and until strict protections are enforced, they’re selling access to more than just information.
They’re selling vulnerability.
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You’ve stated it well here John:
“This is not about hiding from the public. It’s about preserving the integrity of the judiciary,”
Thank you for another important article.
You’re welcome, Chris! That line was written to hold the line — because if the judiciary loses its protection, it loses its purpose. In a time where exposure is weaponized, integrity must become the shield. 😎
Very useful information.
Thank you very much! I hope you have a great night. 😎