My dad hacked my email address and as a teenager I'd like to know what my legal rights are...can you help me?

Question

A month and a half ago my dad hacked my email account, and the information he found has gotten my best friend into serious trouble (nothing illegal, mind you); to further protect the privacy of my friend and I, I deleted the account and because of this I'm no longer allowed to see my best friend and my life has become a living hell. My dad took everything he read out of context and is now trying to access the records of the emails I sent to my friend so that he can give them to the police. I really want closure on this problem because it's caused a lot of grief for my family and my best friend, and at this point I'm simply trying to help my friend (and myself) survive this ordeal.

I want to know what my rights are (if I have any) and I was hoping maybe one of you would know if it was possible to delete the records of a deleted account. Any help would be appreciated beyone words....

Thanks for your time! :]

A month and a half ago my dad hacked my email account, and the information he found has gotten my best friend into serious trouble (nothing illegal, mind you); to further protect the privacy of my friend and I, I deleted the account and because of this I'm no longer allowed to see my best friend and my life has become a living hell. My dad took everything he read out of context and is now trying to access the records of the emails I sent to my friend so that he can give them to the police. I really want closure on this problem because it's caused a lot of grief for my family and my best friend, and at this point I'm simply trying to help my friend (and myself) survive this ordeal.

I'm 17 years old and I'll be 18 in November, and I want to know what my rights are (if I have any). I was hoping maybe one of you would know if it was possible to delete the records of a deleted account. Any help would be appreciated beyone words....

Thanks for your time! :]

I don't live in the same town as my dad and the account he hacked is NOT his in any way; it's specifically mine.

By the way, sorry for the repeat of info above (I'm new at this, but you can't really tell! LOL)....

As I said before, what my dad found was not illegal - he found out that I'm in love with my best friend, and I think my dad feels threatened. My best friend and I are not going out because he's involved in another relationship, so how was I supposed to be open about it when there's a big hurdle like that in the way? It's not like my friend and I planned for this to happen; it surprised both of us! *sigh*

Answer 1

Privacy when living with your parents can turn into a living nightmare. I understand what you are going through, however, I'm afraid there is little you can do. Those under the age of eighteen are subject to their parents, privacy is earned, but not required. Underage emails are subject to parental supervision, in fact companies, even Yahoo, recommend that parents watch what their children do on the internet. Just to add, emails provided by the workplace also have zero privacy, as your boss has complete rights to go snooping through any and all emails you send and receive. I'm just noting this for future information.

Over eighteen? You have several options, none of which is legal action while living under your parents' roof. You can choose to move out, buy your own internet connection and email, then your privacy can be guaranteed. Use passwords that are letters and numbers like H7G45B, etc.

If you live and support yourself in your own home, then you could take legal action. I should ask are you willing to show these emails to a judge for them to determine the right legal course of action to lay down? Or are these not something you want flashed around a courtroom? If the latter, then legal action isn't something you want to take, especially if your father feels that there is some violation of the law here.

This all boils down to trust. Speak honestly, openly, and answer any and all questions your parents may have. Show them all of the emails if there is no illegal activity there. What do you have to hide? Show them that it's nothing by showing the emails, then you'll be allowed to converse freely with your friend. Wouldn't that end best for all? Forget privacy if you live with your parents and are under eighteen, they have every right to know what you're doing, for your safety. It's only because they love and care for you and are worried, so put their mind at ease.

Addition: If you do not live with your father, then inform your mother or guardian of the situation. I do not think emails can be accessed after the account is deleted. In the future, I would go to an email account, say gmail, and toughen up the password. 8 characters and numbers, upper case and lower case. If you pick a word, replace an L with a 1 or things like that. Look up foreign words, I personally use the alphabet versions of greek and japanese. The only problem is that you'll have to remember it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

No, as a minor, you have no legals ground to do anything, but this is a valuable lessen, don't ever discuss anything over the internet or on a cell phone that you wouldn't want someone else to find out as both can be easily hacked.

If you father already printed off or saved the files elsewhere, deleting the account will not have done you any good.

Another thing to keep in mind for the future, anything that you say in a email or IM or post on a website can never be permanently deleted...it will always on your ISPs archive server for years to come and if there would be anything illegal discussed, it could be subpoenaed by the authorities.

Answer 3

I read the entire thing and checked it out myself, and it is exactly what I thought it was...MOVEON.ORG trying to raise more money. They've never had any shame and I don't expect that they ever will. Remember, MOVEON.ORG was created for the purpose of stopping the Clinton impeachment hearings. Since then, it has taken on a life of it's own and is now one of the most influential organizations in Democratic politics. IT IS a partisan organization of George Soros, Michael Moore, etc., so when I read this guy talking about "reaching across the aisle" I just wanted to laugh. I'm an independent, but I DO support Obama and I think his economic stimulus plan -though not perfect- is what the country needs to get the economy back on track. BUT, it will be a cold day in hell before I EVER donate one cent to MOVEON.ORG

Answer 4

You have no legal rights what so ever. It would be very difficult to present this case in court. Your father would say he was acting in your best interest. He obviously contacted the police as a matter of concern in the first place. And no he will not be able to access any emails from accounts which are closed, nor will you be able to delete them. They are probably already deleted anyway. I doubt very much if even the best of hackers can do that. Perhaps you need to re-evaluate your friendship with the person your father contacted the police about. I guess your father loves you or he would not really be bothered what you were doing or who your friends were, perhaps he was just trying to protect you. I would give him the benefit of the doubt in this matter.

Answer 5

You have the right to emancipate yourself, but you'll need to get a job and an apartment. Once you are emancipated, your jerk of a father cannot control you, but you will also not be entitled to child support or anything else. You will be your own person responsible for yourself.

You have the right to a library card and you may go to a public library to access computers and e-mail which your father should not be able to hack.

You have the right to see your best friend again when you are 18, if your best friend is also an adult. No one will be able to stop you. However, if you are receiving benefits from your parents who disapprove, anticipate losing your benefits.

Answer 6

If the account is closed there is no way he can get the records unless the account is on his name. The people with whom you have the account wont even listen to your father unless he get a court order and he wont get any for a "nothing illegal". Not even the police can get an order to get your emails unless they have very very good evidence that you are into a serious criminal activity.

But you contradict, you say there is "nothing illegal" but then why your father want to go to the police?

As a minor your rights are limited. So just try to be more careful and try to be good.

Answer 7

Your question raises several questions. You say nothing illegal, yet your dad wants to give the emails to the cops? Why? You didn't give your age. Your options depend largely on your age.

Why not learn a lesson from this and get some new friends that you don't have to lie to your parents about? I think you dad is doing a great job of being a parent and should be applauded for his actions. Change your life around and make him proud.

Answer 8

If your under 18 and or the email account is somehow under your dads name or account, you have no rights. Otherwise it would be an infringement on privacy and you could sue your dad or something but i dont think you would want to do that either. I dont think you dad would be able to trace the emails from a deleted account, our own government has trouble doing that, so I think hes gonna have trouble there. Tough situation, you dads and ahole.

Answer 9

Ephesians 6:1: Children obey your parents.

Even though there may be some wrong on both sides, you still should be submissivve to his leadership. Sometimes parents do stupid stuff, but God deosn't say: "Obey your parents, only when they don't do stupid stuff." No! He says, "Obey your parents." Do your best to be the best daughter you can be. Follow your father's guidance and leadership, and everthing will work out. Trust God! He knows what is best.

One note: the only time we are not to obey our parents is when what they are telling us to do goes against God's will. Like if they tell you to commit a crime, etc.

Answer 10

I'm glad to see that your Dad is keeping an eye on things. More parents should check up on their kids.

You have no rights in this scenario unless you want to try and sue your dad. That would be costly and fruitless but it would cause him a little grief.