What is the scope of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) is a federal law that applies to Washington and to all other states in the US. It prohibits a person from accessing a protected computer (e.g., a computer owned by the government or by a business) without authorization or by exceeding authorized access. The CFAA also prohibits a person from accessing a protected computer to obtain information that is confidential, proprietary, or classified (e.g., trade secrets, financial information, customer records, etc.). Additionally, the CFAA prohibits a person from damaging a computer, or disrupting its intended use, by intentionally introducing a virus or any other malicious code into the computer. In other words, the CFAA makes it illegal to intentionally access a computer without authorization or to cause damage to a computer or its data. The CFAA can also be used as a tool to prevent unfair competition. It’s illegal to use a protected computer to obtain a competitor’s confidential proprietary information or to disrupt the competitor’s computer network. It’s also illegal to use a protected computer to intentionally influence a person’s business decisions or compete unfairly. In summary, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act makes it illegal to intentionally access a protected computer without authorization or to damage a computer or its data. It also makes it illegal to use a protected computer to obtain confidential or proprietary information or to interfere with a competitor’s business operations. As such, this law can be used as an effective tool to prevent unfair competition and protect businesses in Washington and across the US.
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