Federal · Title 50 — War and National Defense

50 U.S.C. § 1881h: Penalties for unauthorized disclosure

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly disclose classified information about U.S. communications to unauthorized persons or foreign governments. Conviction carries up to 8 years imprisonment and/or fines.

Read the full statutory text

A person is guilty of an offense under this section if that person knowingly and willfully communicates, furnishes, transmits, or otherwise makes available to an unauthorized person, or publishes, or uses in any manner prejudicial to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any foreign government to the detriment of the United States any classified information that contains the contents of any communication acquired under this subchapter to which a known United States person is a party. A person guilty of an offense in this section shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 8 years, or both. There is Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section if the person committing the offense was an officer or employee of the United States at the time the offense was committed.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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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.