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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5 — Computer invasion of privacy; penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 7.1: Computer Crimes, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
A. A person is guilty of the crime of computer invasion of privacy when he uses a computer or computer network and intentionally examines without authority any employment, salary, credit or any other financial or identifying information, as defined in clauses (iii) through (xiii) of subsection C of § 18.2-186.3 , relating to any other person. "Examination" under this section requires the offender to review the information relating to any other person after the time at which the offender knows or should know that he is without authority to view the information displayed. B. The crime of computer invasion of privacy shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. C. Any person who violates this section after having been previously convicted of a violation of this section or any substantially similar laws of any 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 such information to another is guilty of a Class 6 felony. E. Any person who violates this section and uses such information in the commission of another crime is guilty of a Class 6 felony. F. This section shall not apply to any person collecting information that is reasonably needed to (i) protect the security of a computer, computer service, or computer business, or to facilitate diagnostics or repair in connection with such computer, computer service, or computer business or (ii) determine whether the computer user is licensed or authorized to use specific computer software or a specific computer service.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is computer invasion of privacy a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: computer invasion of privacy ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5.

Computer invasion of privacy — base offense: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5B) · Computer invasion of privacy — subsequent offense: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5C) · Computer invasion of privacy — selling or distributing information: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5D) · Computer invasion of privacy — used in commission of another crime: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5E)

Which Virginia statute covers computer invasion of privacy?

Computer invasion of privacy is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5 (Computer invasion of privacy; penalties).

Is using a computer to gather identifying information a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: using a computer to gather identifying information ranges from a class 6 felony to a class 5 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5:1.

Using a computer to gather identifying information — base offense: class 6 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5:1A) · Using a computer to gather identifying information — sale or distribution: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5:1B) · Using a computer to gather identifying information — used in commission of another crime: class 5 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.5:1C)

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.