California has expanded a privacy program designed to protect people facing threats and harassment — but critics are warning the new law could have unintended consequences for journalists investigating organizations that receive taxpayer money.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Saturday expanding California’s longstanding Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to certain immigration-support workers, employees and volunteers who can demonstrate that their work has exposed them to threats, harassment or violence.
Opponents have dubbed the legislation the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” invoking independent journalist and YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose viral investigations have focused on alleged fraud and questionable spending involving publicly funded service providers.
