US appeals court strikes down West Virginia law shielding officials' personal data

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2025 ruling that nullified West Virginia's version of Daniel's Law, which barred data brokers from publishing personal data of judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The panel found the statute an unlawful content-based restriction on speech with overly broad liability. The decision could affect similar laws in other states and ongoing litigation in New Jersey.

• Court found West Virginia's law an unconstitutional content-based restriction on speech
• The statute allowed lawsuits of up to $1,000 per violation plus punitive damages
• Ruling may influence Daniel's Law statutes in other states and New Jersey litigation
• Suit was brought by a retired officer against WhitePages, LexisNexis and PeopleConnect