Sponsors
The bill tightens criminal penalties to reduce classified leaks via common messaging apps and strengthen prosecution, but it raises substantial risks for inadvertent sharers and whistleblowers, may chill routine government communications, and will increase enforcement costs.
Taxpayers and the public are better protected because the bill prohibits sharing classified information on common messaging apps, reducing the risk of unauthorized disclosures that could harm national security and public safety.
Federal prosecutors and the Department of Justice gain a clearer statutory tool to charge misuse of messaging apps for classified leaks, improving enforcement and deterrence against intentional disclosures.
The bill establishes a defined penalty (up to 10 years and fines) for these communications offenses, giving courts a clearer sentencing range for cases involving classified information shared on messaging platforms.
Federal employees, contractors, and others who share classified information unknowingly or who attempt to report wrongdoing (whistleblowers) could face felony charges and up to 10 years in prison, increasing legal risk for inadvertent sharers and potential whistleblowers.
Broad criminalization of sharing classified content on widely used apps may chill legitimate communication and complicate routine work that touches classified topics, creating compliance burdens and operational friction for federal employees and some law-enforcement activities.
Increased federal prosecutions and enforcement tied to the new offense could raise costs for the justice system and for defendants (legal fees, incarceration), shifting taxpayer resources toward enforcement and prosecution.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal felony to knowingly share classified information via mobile or desktop messaging apps, punishable by fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Introduced April 2, 2025 by Ritchie Torres · Last progress April 2, 2025
Creates a new federal crime for knowingly sharing any classified information through mobile or desktop messaging applications, punishable by a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both. A separate provision only provides official short titles for the law and does not change programs or funding.