This topic came up in a message board to which I subscribe. A woman got into an argument with her bf over a site that was saved on his computer Favorites, she signed into his email account using 'his usual ID and password" and read some suspicious emails. She feels her search is legitmate since he at some point had shared his ID and password and since in her words "If he has nothing to hide then he has nothing to worry about". I know if she were to open a written letter addressed to him without his permission, it's a felony. What about this instance - Is it illegal to open another person's email without their expressed permission?
2006-06-11 11:01:46 · 9 answers · asked by messageboardjunkie 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
It is illegal. I quote U.S. Code, Title 18, Chapter 119, §2511:
1 Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter any person who - (a) intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication;
4 (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection or in subsection (5), whoever violates subsection (1) of this section shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
So in principle, reading his e-mail without his permission gets you up to five years in a federal prison. You may also be subject to additional penalties under state law - contact your district attorney's office for details.
Disclaimer: I AM NOT A LAWYER, THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.
2006-06-11 11:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by Pascal 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES IT IS ILLEGAL just as it is to open someone Else's regular mail! if it wasn't then why do we have passwords and Id's
and if you are caught you can go to Jail!! so don't do it!!
2006-06-11 11:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't matter to me (in this circumstance) if it were legal or not. I would not have that girlfriend any more and I would change all of my passwords.
2006-06-11 11:05:30 · answer #3 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is illegal. the same way that opening someone else's regular mail is illegal
2006-06-11 11:03:35 · answer #4 · answered by oveningskor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not illeagal in the slightest, but very nosey and irksome for someone to do that.
2006-06-11 11:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by Emi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure it's illegal....but it's not right...I would never hide something from my mate..but I still would not like it.
2006-06-11 11:07:44 · answer #6 · answered by SeeNoEvil 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plain and simple IT IS WRONG. you wouldn't open someone else's paper mail would you?
2006-06-11 11:03:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope he ditches her, if she can't trust him, she shouldn't be with him!
2006-06-11 11:12:31 · answer #8 · answered by Stacie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i its not illegal
2006-06-11 11:06:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋