Is it legal to search a persons personal information on the internet?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is it legal to search a persons personal information on the internet?
Someone has used the internet and found my address, date of birth, home phone number and now this person is trying to get info on my divorce.
Asked on July 13, 2011 under Criminal Law, Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If information is "publically" available on the Internet--that is, it is available to anyone doing a web search, and does not require identity theft (e.g. representing themselves as you), stealing or misusing your personal passwords, or hacking a protected account, server, or computer--then it's legal for someone to get it. Information that is out in the public sphere and not protected is information that anyone can access without criminal or civil liability. That also applies to information about your divorce, much of which (e.g. court records, except and only to the extent that are actually sealed) is officially public information, anyway, unfortunately. This is something we all need to deal with in the internet age.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.