Computer Crime (computer trespass, spam header forgery, cyberstalking and online impersonation)

RI Computer Crime Act

Communications · Marketing · Biometric · Other

Rhode Island's computer crime law covers unauthorized access and copying of computer data, forging email headers to send bulk spam, cyberstalking and cyberharassment, and online impersonation using another person's name, persona or identifying information (including biometric data) to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten. Injured people, including email service providers, can sue for damages.

Where: Rhode Island
Citation: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-52-1 to 11-52-8
Status: In force
Enforced by: Prosecutors; injured persons and email service providers via civil action
People can sue: Yes
Penalties: Computer trespass is generally a felony (misdemeanor if or less). Cyberstalking: misdemeanor up to and/or 1 year; repeat offense felony up to 2 years and/or ,000. Online impersonation: misdemeanor up to 1 year and/or ,000 plus restitution; repeat felony up to 3 years and/or ,000. Injured persons may recover compensatory and punitive damages and fees; for unsolicited bulk email, per message up to ,000 per day in lieu of actual damages (§ 11-52-6).
Applies to: Any person who accesses or uses computers or networks without authority, forges email routing information for bulk email, harasses by electronic communication, or impersonates others online

Rights it gives people

Persons injured by violations, including recipients of and providers carrying unlawful bulk email, may sue for damages, statutory damages for bulk email, and attorney's fees.R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-6

Practices it requires

Do not use a computer or network without authority to copy, alter, erase or disable data, or to forge email header or routing information to send unsolicited bulk email (or distribute software for that purpose).R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.1(a)
Do not transmit electronic communications for the sole purpose of harassing a person or their family.R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-4.2
Do not use another person's name, persona or identifying information in web pages, social networking posts, emails or texts without consent and with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate or threaten, or impersonate a public official to induce reliance.R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-52-7.1(b)

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: §§ 11-52-1 to 11-52-4, 11-52-5, 11-52-7 and 11-52-8 were identified by title only.

Research reference, not legal advice.