I'd like to know the legality of this situation. I live alone in an apartment in Florida. My parents, who live in NY, came down here while I was held under a Baker Act in a local facility. I know for a fact that they had attempted to get into my apartment via the managers, who denied them because of the lack of my written permission. However, a friend of mine has a key to my apt., and they would likely know that. Long story short, my laptop (Which my parents bought me but is used exclusively by me) was turned on twice while I was away. I haven't found any programs on it, but they could be hidden, so I'd like to know:
Is it legal for them to turn on my computer without my permission, and view any files/history/data? Or to use anything they viewed, such as e-mails or files, against me in legal matters? Or to use my passwords, which I store in a file, to access my accounts on the web? If they placed a trojan on it, is it legal for them to view/use the gathered information against me?
2007-07-30 13:55:16 · 9 answers · asked by Envirogal612 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
~___~ Okay, I gve background information on where I was to prove that it's quite clear I would not have been able to access the computer myself, and therefore try to frame them. STFU about the Baker Act and your ideas about what is "best". I want to know straight-up legality.
2007-07-30 14:07:01 · update #1
The friend who has a key to my apartment is just that - a friend. He does not live there and is not listed on the lease. I would assume that would affect the legality of him being able to bring someone into the house uninvited by me.
I am of age, being 19-years-old, and the lease to the apartment is in my name.
And seriously, some of you are really starting to get annoying. STFU about "you're paranoid, you're crazy, you're mental, blah blah blah". Just answer the question at hand and keep your idiotic opinions to yourself.
2007-07-30 14:14:06 · update #2
You have bigger problems than whether someone peeked on your computer. Focus on your treatment and discuss your concerns with your consellor. He or she will help you determine whether or not you are prioritizing the risk properly. Many forms of mental illness will cause you to think things are more threatening than they are, so you have to always work with your therapist to weed out the appropriate fears with the inapropriate ones.
2007-07-30 13:58:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you are an adult, no one (even your parents) has the right to enter your house and install any application on your computer without your knowledge to obtain information about you. That is effectively wire tapping.
They may not search your apartment and take papers to be used against you without a warrant being served.
If they have a key or they are invited into the apartment by someone that has a key, then they may enter the house. After that, what they view is subject to the laws of your state.
2007-07-30 14:05:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I can tell you that information gained from invasion of privacy like that cannot be used in a courtroom without a warrant or an immediate threat. Obviously, since there was none, they couldn't use the information against you. I don't think it is legal at all for them to go into your apartment and look around your computer. Again, you need a warrant, or a court has to rule that there was an immediate threat for that to be legal
2007-07-30 14:05:15 · answer #3 · answered by MLBfreek35 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you are under age, everything they do is legal.
"extenuating Circumstances" = Your parents have entry permission by the lessor, or the apartment is in their name, or the computer is their property. Other extenuating circumstaances include illegal activity by you, or a legally obtained search warrant, or an FBI black bag sting, or you are about to become evicted, or the landlord or lessor requested intervention by your parents.
Can you prove anything? If so, what, and how? Are you protected in any way from this and future events?
If any information was collected illegally, it is most likely inadmissable in a court of law (barring a breach of Homeland Security).
All of your questions could be answered as, "Yes, it is legal for them to do it." However, under extenuating circumstances.
2007-07-30 14:08:24 · answer #4 · answered by kNOTaLIAwyR 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
first- do you know for a fact that they entered your apartment? did your friend say that she let them in? if she didnt, then how would they have gotten in.
second- as they did buy the computer, they could argue that it was theirs and you were just borrowing it. so that would give them leverage to do whatever they wanted with it.
third- what do you have to hide that is so important? your parents obviously love you if they bought you a laptop, and i assume that they are paying the bill for more than that. so why would you care so much if they did go into your apartment?
2007-08-06 20:10:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck with whatever the problem is.
Perhaps under the circumstance you might want to consider they are concerned for your well being and not interested in your computing habits.
2007-07-30 14:03:19 · answer #6 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well...normally they couldnt if they were not granted access, however since they did buy the laptop i think they are allowed to see it......the big thing would be that they went in to your place. Im not sure though
2007-07-30 14:01:38 · answer #7 · answered by ♫♫My Heart Belongs to Band♫♫ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you must got enemies and also hackers who do this to people i know been there and gone through it . report it and protect machine encypt your machine also do virus scans spyware scan and disk clean up defragment and clean out cookies.
2007-08-05 15:53:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What told you that information? Scree cap maybe?
2016-03-16 03:21:26 · answer #9 · answered by Erica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋