Electronic harassment refers to claims of covert attacks using electronic devices, though medical and scientific consensus generally considers these experiences to be delusional or psychotic in nature.
Definition and Claims
Electronic harassment, also called electromagnetic or psychotronic torture, is described by self-identified "targeted individuals" (TIs) as the use of electronic devices to transmit sounds, thoughts, or physical sensations into a person’s body, often by government agents or criminal groups, to harass or control them. Reported methods include microwaves, ultrasonic, laser, and acoustic weapons, as well as devices like GPS trackers or spyware. Victims often report symptoms such as headaches, burning sensations, red eyes, sleep disruption, and hearing voices. The New York Times suggests over 10,000 people in the U.S. identify as TIs, while advocacy groups claim numbers as high as 170,000 in the U.S. and over 1 million worldwide. Despite these claims, incidents of violence linked to these beliefs are rare but have occurred, such as the Washington Navy Yard shooting in 2013 and the Florida State University shooting in 2014
Scientific and Medical Perspective
Medical professionals generally conclude that experiences of electronic harassment are hallucinations or the result of delusional disorders and psychosis. Psychologists note that TIs often interpret ordinary events or minor misfortunes as evidence of targeting, and their beliefs can be difficult to challenge because they attribute internal experiences to external sources. Comparisons have been made to alien abduction narratives in terms of psychological patterns
Legal Considerations
If someone is experiencing harassment via electronic communications, federal law may provide protections. Victims can pursue protective orders, file complaints with federal agencies, or bring civil lawsuits. Evidence is crucial, including logs of incidents, screenshots, and medical documentation. Federal statutes criminalize stalking, threats, and unauthorized interception of communications, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on severity
Summary
While electronic harassment is widely reported by self-identified TIs, scientific consensus views these experiences as psychological phenomena rather than verified technological attacks. Legal avenues exist for harassment involving electronic communications, but claims of covert electromagnetic attacks remain unproven and are generally treated as delusional by mental health professionals
What Is Electronic Harassment?
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-is-electronic-harassment.htm
Electronic harassment
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_harassment