Unauthorized Computer Access (H 5543, S 592)

As part of a package of computer crimes legislation put forward by the Attorney General's office, whistleblowers would be treated the same as malicious hackers, subjecting them to felony penalties for gaining "unauthorized access" to a computer.  In February, the ACLU testified before the House Judiciary committee  in opposition to this broadly worded legislation that is based on a federal law that has been used to punish people who have engaged in whistleblowing activities. After the hearing on this bill, no further action was taken.