ND 12.1-17-07 (using a robot/AI to harass is a crime)
North Dakota Harassment by Robot (HB 1429, 12.1-17-07)
North Dakota · N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-17-07; 2025 N.D. Laws (HB 1429)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- August 1, 2025
- Applies to
- Any person in North Dakota.
- Enforced by
- North Dakota law enforcement and prosecutors; North Dakota courts.
North Dakota updated its harassment law so that using a 'robot' to harass someone is itself a crime. A robot here means an artificial object or system that senses, processes, and acts using technology, including artificial intelligence. A person commits harassment if they use such a robot to engage in offensive conduct that serves no legitimate purpose.
Who is protected: Any person targeted by harassing conduct carried out through a robot or AI system.
Legal detail
HB 1429 amended N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-17-07 to define 'robot' (an artificial object/system that senses, processes, and acts using technology, including AI) and to make it harassment to use a robot to engage in offensive conduct with no legitimate purpose.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | April 24, 2025 |
| Citation | N.D. Cent. Code 12.1-17-07; 2025 N.D. Laws (HB 1429) |
| Penalties | Misdemeanor. Harassment is generally a class B misdemeanor, rising to a class A misdemeanor where the conduct involves certain threats. |
| Topics | consumer data privacy · consumer protection |
| Statute | North Dakota Century Code 12.1-17-07 (Harassment) / HB 1429 |
More AI rules in North Dakota
- ND Sexually Explicit Deepfake Law · In effect
- ND HB 1613 (drone evidence limits extended to robots; no armed police robots) · In effect
- ND 12.1-17-07.1 (stalking via robot/AI, e.g. tracking, is a crime) · In effect
- ND HB 1167 (political ads using AI to impersonate must say so) · In effect
- ND HB 1386 (CSAM laws cover computer-generated/AI images of minors) · In effect
- Artificial Intelligence Guideline · In effect
Related consumer data privacy rules elsewhere
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for location… · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare companies · Proposed / pending
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Maine LD 61 (employer surveillance disclosure & prohibition) · In effect
- Washington SHB 1672 (employee monitoring notice, ADS restrictions, emotion AI ban) · In effect
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