Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2701: Unlawful access to stored communications

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Unlawfully accessing or exceeding authorization to access an electronic communications facility is prohibited. First offenses carry up to 5 years imprisonment; subsequent offenses carry up to 10 years imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

intentionally accesses without authorization a facility through which an electronic communication service is provided; or intentionally exceeds an authorization to access that facility; a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, in the case of a first offense under this subparagraph; and a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, for any subsequent offense under this subparagraph; and a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 1 year or both, in the case of a first offense under this paragraph; and a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, in the case of an offense under this subparagraph that occurs after a conviction of another offense under this section. by the person or entity providing a wire or electronic communications service; by a user of that service with respect to a communication of or intended for that user; or in section 2703, 2704 or 2518 of this title.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.