California passes bill protecting immigration workers from doxxing

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new privacy law in February to protect immigration aid workers. The law expands a programme called Safe at Home, which keeps workers' personal addresses and contact details private. It was introduced by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta after immigration workers reported more threats and doxxing. Doxxing means sharing someone's private information online to cause harm.

Some Republicans opposed the bill strongly. Assembly Member Carl DeMaio called it the "Stop Nick Shirley Act," after a right-wing YouTuber who films immigration services organisations. Critics claimed the law would block investigative journalism and fraud investigations. Bonta said those claims were false and that the bill contained no such restrictions.

The Safe at Home programme previously protected health workers who provide gender-related treatment.