Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 716A.2 — Transmission of unsolicited bulk electronic mail — criminal penalties
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 716A: Electronic Mail, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 716A.2
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. A person who does any of the following is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor:
a. Uses a computer or computer network with the intent to falsify or forge electronic mail transmission information or other routing information in any manner in connection with the transmission of unsolicited bulk electronic mail through or into the computer network of an electronic mail service provider or its subscribers.
b. Knowingly sells, gives, or otherwise distributes or possesses with the intent to sell, give, or otherwise distribute computer software that does any of the following:
(1) Is primarily designed or produced for the purpose of facilitating or enabling the falsification of electronic mail transmission information or other routing information.
(2) Has only limited commercially significant purpose or use other than to facilitate or enable the falsification of electronic mail transmission information or other routing information.
(3) Is marketed by that person acting alone or with another for use in facilitating or enabling the falsification of electronic mail transmission information or other routing information.
2. A person is guilty of a class “D” felony for committing a violation of subsection 1 when either of the following apply:
a. The volume of unsolicited bulk electronic mail transmitted exceeds ten thousand attempted recipients in any twenty-four-hour period, one hundred thousand attempted recipients in any thirty-day time period, or one million attempted recipients in any twelve-month time period.
b. The revenue generated from a specific unsolicited bulk electronic mail transmission exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars or the total revenue generated from all unsolicited bulk electronic mail transmitted to any electronic mail service provider by the person exceeds fifty thousand dollars.
3. A person is guilty of a class “D” felony if the person knowingly hires, employs, uses, or permits a person less than eighteen years of age to assist in the transmission of unsolicited bulk electronic mail in violation of subsection 2.
4. Transmission of electronic mail from an organization to a member of the organization shall not be a violation of this section.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.