California has updated its impersonation law to include online impersonation, or pretending to be someone else in email and social network sites. “Using a fake online profile or email address to harm others can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail,” the San Francisco Examiner reports. The Examiner cites the view of one law enforcement officer that, on the surface, the law looks good, but he doubts it’ll help investigators crack cases – imposter profile can be created so quickly and easily. Investigators should contact Ally Pfeiffer, the Connecticut student who did her own computer forensic work after being victimized by a cruel imposter profile (see my post on that).
Presenting a fraudulent profile on ANY site constitutes that a fraud has occured. Virtual tangability constitutes physical tangability, just ask any bank. I believe that presenting a fraudulent profile on ANY site on the internet not only violates FCC access representation of self, but is subject to fraud laws as well. Claiming that you are someone you are not and are available for sex, or ANYTHING is fraud. Laws and prosecutors need to reflect this if we are ever to have a truly secured internet.
I don’t even know if this law will help at all. I went to the district attorney about 2 months ago with mine. I was told it was a “She Said/He Said” case and they would not prosecute. Too me this person was pandering me because this person made a profile of me and said I was available for sex.