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California legal term

Electronic communication service in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Electronic communication service” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.

What does “Electronic communication service” mean in California criminal law?

“Electronic communication service” means a service that provides to its subscribers or users the ability to send or receive electronic communications, including any service that acts as an intermediary in the transmission of electronic communications, or stores electronic communication information. (Cal. Penal Code § 1546)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.