Ex Boss discovers Email password and reads/replies to Email?

Question

Is there laws concerning this conduct? IE, can the person this happened to stick it to this guy?
Story: person is laid off, boss finds email password (private, NOT company email) of ex-employee, logs on, reads messages, and answers them, Emails all people on list and spreads propaganda. May have accessed sensitive personal information.
Basic A**hole behavior, but is it legally actionable? do you know the law involved? Took place in Hawaii.

Thanks

Answer 1

That is totally wrong. The bad news is He can prob find a loophole to get away with it because it was at work but the best thing u can do is change your password, or open a whole new email account & apologise to your contacts & explain the situation.

Legally that is defimation of character and invasion of privacy, so you may be able to get the police involved.

Nice pic btw

Answer 2

There is no such thing as "personal email" when a company computer is used. An employer has a right to review all emails stored on an employees computer, and even if the email has been deleted, it is still "in the system" and can be retrieved.

Does he have a right to use the information to slander an employee or ex-employee? No. I'd take him to court if I could prove he abused the information. But you'd need a lot of proof. Just because he said derogatory things doesn't make his actions illegal. You have to show that he damaged you in a significant monetary way (sold your stocks at a loss/caused you to lose a job you were eligible for) or emotional way (convinced your wife that you had sent emails to hookers or made your parents believe you were a drug addict).

If your friend was seriously damaged by his ex-bosses actions, he should look for a lawyer.

Answer 3

Dude, you're getting upset over nothing. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it's the back half of 2011 now, 2007 is ancient history. Your girlfriend probably learned from being treated badly from him, thus appreciating you more. She gave you her email password, that means she trusts you. So the answers to your questions: She has been with you for 11 months, and has agreed to be your wife, so I'm guessing she loves you. Could she still have feelings for him? If he most recent contact with him was 4 years ago, and the relationship ended badly, then the only feeling she might have for him is revulsion. Do you have to be like that guy to get her to love you? Well, you've been treating her like a queen and she agreed to marry you, so maybe shifting gears and becoming an ****** is not a good idea. What you should do? Forget about the email, live in the now, be the best fiance you can be, and be happy.

Answer 4

That is an Invasion of Privacy, and quite possibly also impersonation or whatever other legal terms you can slap on it.
I think you could legally do something with it.

Answer 5

No, it's not legal (could also be considered cyberstalking), and, for heaven's sake, change your email password! You should also report him to his ISP (you can find out this information from the headers of emails he's sent), it is illegal.

Answer 6

First of all change the password then get you a good lawyer and make sure you have proof.

Answer 7

without actual proof that he did it, I.E tracing IP address from his work/home computer or such, no action can be taken unless proof is given then its punishable by fine and possible jail time

Answer 8

that is against the law it is invasion of privacy and you can possibly sue

Answer 9

It is not legal and he could be deeply prosecuted because that is invading other's property.

Answer 10

call a lawyer its invasion of privacy