RI Senate OKs bill targeting unauthorized computer access
By The Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ The Rhode Island Senate has approved a bill that would make it a felony to access another person’s computer without their permission to view confidential information, even if the material is not deleted or damaged.
Under current law, a person who accesses another person’s computer without authorization can only be charged with a crime if the information is altered.
Lawmakers say people are using computers in ways existing laws never anticipated, including stealing trade secrets.
The Senate approved the measure Thursday. It goes to the House for consideration.
A companion bill has been introduced by the House and is currently being studied by the Judiciary Committee.
The state attorney general’s office requested the legislation.
Democratic state Sen. Frank Lombardi, the sponsor, says the bill will help update the state’s computer crime laws.
© The Associated Press / WLNE-TV 2015
