Legal Question in Family Law in New York

my girlfriend is 18 years old and away at college and mostly independant from her parents, however her dad has software on her computer that monitors everything she does online including every web site she looks at in detaial and both sides every conversation she has on instant messenger and such. while she is aware that this program is monitering her computer, she does not want it there and did not consent to having it installed after she turned 18. also i recently sent a package to her via a friend but her dad managed to intercept him before he delivered it and took the package from him. I am wondering what our options are regarding this and whether or not we can or should take any legal action on it.


Asked on 10/27/09, 9:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Paula McGill Attorney at Law

The easist thing to do is to buy another computer. Otherwise, she should take it to a computer shop and have the software taken off. Thereafter, she should change all of her paswords.

I defer to IT criminal attorneys to advise about state or federal laws the father may be breaking by installing the software. Also, there's an issue of civil liability. If you girlfriend relys on her father to pay for college or her living expenses, she may think twice about inquiring about criminal charges or filing civil suits.

(Also licensed in New York)

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Answered on 11/04/09, 6:32 pm


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