18.2-152.5 - Computer invasion of privacy; penalties. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-152.5. Computer invasion of privacy; penalties.

A. A person is guilty of the crime of computer invasion of privacy when heuses a computer or computer network and intentionally examines withoutauthority any employment, salary, credit or any other financial oridentifying information, as defined in clauses (iii) through (xiii) ofsubsection C of § 18.2-186.3, relating to any other person. "Examination"under this section requires the offender to review the information relatingto any other person after the time at which the offender knows or should knowthat he is without authority to view the information displayed.

B. The crime of computer invasion of privacy shall be punishable as a Class 1misdemeanor.

C. Any person who violates this section after having been previouslyconvicted of a violation of this section or any substantially similar laws ofany other state or of the United States is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

D. Any person who violates this section and sells or distributes suchinformation to another is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

E. Any person who violates this section and uses such information in thecommission of another crime is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

F. This section shall not apply to any person collecting information that isreasonably needed to (i) protect the security of a computer, computerservice, or computer business, or to facilitate diagnostics or repair inconnection with such computer, computer service, or computer business or (ii)determine whether the computer user is licensed or authorized to use specificcomputer software or a specific computer service.

(1984, c. 751; 1985, c. 398; 2001, c. 358; 2005, cc. 747, 761, 827, 837.)