Legal Question in Technology Law in Georgia

Use of computer monitoring software when you do not own the computer being monit

Several software vendors offer software that will monitor and report on personal computer usage such as web sites visited, computer programs used, email text sent, online chat text sent or received, etc. Most of these vendors say that installing their software on a computer that you do not own may be in violation of federal or state laws. My question is, if a resident of Michigan electronically transmits the code via email and causes that code to be inserted onto a couputer that they do not own in Georgia, and therby is able to monitor that computer's use, what federal or state laws may be violated? What are the potential penalties involved? The software vendors will not tell me any of this information.


Asked on 11/30/02, 7:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patrick Tracy Patrick J. Tracy, Esq, P.E.,

Re: Use of computer monitoring software when you do not own the computer being m

Thre are three different codes of law to consider. First the MCL, Michigan Compiled Laws, the second is the US Code and finally the code of the state of Georgia. Without reviewing all three of these bodies of laws a correct answer cannot be given. It also would depend on how the court would view the resolution of the conflicts of law in this case. Thus, this is not a question that has a simple answer which can be rendered in a forum such as this. Therefore, if you are very concerned about this program, seek legal counsel where you live to interpret these statutes.

The other thing that you can do is to watch what you do at work. On average people lose about 30-40% of the working day by playing on the internet.

Good Luck!!!

Read more
Answered on 11/30/02, 7:47 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Computer & Technology Law questions and answers in Georgia