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From: heiby@mcdchg.UUCP
Newsgroups: news.misc,news.sysadmin,misc.legal
Subject: Re: Snooping in peoples' email IS a violation of Federal law.
Message-ID: <477@mcdchg.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 11-May-87 14:42:42 EDT
Article-I.D.: mcdchg.477
Posted: Mon May 11 14:42:42 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 13-May-87 06:59:26 EDT
References: <1128@cartan.Berkeley.EDU> <1065@epimass.UUCP> <5553@eddie.MIT.EDU> <2062@hoptoad.uucp> <844@killer.UUCP>
Reply-To: heiby@mcdchg.UUCP (Ron Heiby)
Organization: Motorola Microcomputer, Schaumburg, IL
Lines: 56
Xref: utgpu news.misc:354 news.sysadmin:185 misc.legal:1159

This is one of the better such laws I've seen.  As with the others, though,
this one needs some help with definitions and the consequences of those
definitions.  [whole article == :-)]

BBS Admin (sysop@killer.UUCP) writes:
|   (2)  `COMPUTER' means an electronic device that
| performs logical, arithmetic, or memory functions by the
| manipulations of electronic or magnetic impulses and includes
| all input, output, processing, storage, or communication
| facilities that are connected or related to the device.
| `COMPUTER' includes a network of two or more computers that
| are interconnected to function or communicate together.
For example, my wristwatch.  Some watches have special programming keypads,
aso well.  Maybe they become a "network"?  I use my fingers in connection
with the processing, storage, and communication of the data stored in the
watch.  What does that make the fingers or the devices attached to them?

|   (4)  `COMPUTER SECURITY SYSTEMS' means the design,
| procedures or other measures that the person responsible for
| the operation and use of a computer employs to restrict the
| use of the computer to particular persons or uses or ....
I keep my shirt cuff pulled down over the face of the watch and don't
let anybody know what time it is unless they ask me.  I also use the wrist
band and clasp as an integral part of the security system to keep it in place
behind my shirt cuff.

|   (5)  `DATA' means a representation of information,
| knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions ...
| may be stored internally in the memory of the computer.
Like, what time my alarm is set to go off.

|      (1) uses a computer without the effective consent
| of the owner of the computer or a person authorized ....
|
|  (c) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
If such person moves my shirt cuff out of the way to check the time.

|       (1) causes a computer to malfunction or interrupts
| the operation of a computer ....
| 
|       (2) alters, damages or destroys data or ....
| 
|  (b) An offense under this section is:
| 
|       (3) a felony of the third degree if the value of
| the loss or damage caused by the conduct is $2,500.00 or more.
So, if someone interrupts the operation of the computer on my wrist,
like by stealing it, and I miss an appointment causing me to lose
a business account that is worth more than $2,500, then the pickpocket
has committed a 3rd degree felony by lifting my $40 watch.
(Unless, of course, the pickpocket works for the phone company and needed
to know what time it was in connection with his/her official duties.)
-- 
Ron Heiby, heiby@mcdchg.UUCP	Moderator: comp.newprod & comp.unix
Motorola Microcomputer Division (MCD), Schaumburg, IL
"Small though it is, the human brain can be quite effective when used properly"