A Michigan man is facing time in the slammer for snooping around in his wife’s business. More specifically, he’s being prosecuted for “felony computer misuse” — legal action designed to target identity thieves and trade secret stealers. Suspecting (correctly) that his wife was having an affair, 33-year old Leon Walker used her password to sneak into her Gmail account and scrounge up some damning evidence. He claims his email hacking activity was his responsibility as a dad to get to the bottom of his hunch; the law says he violated her privacy.
Is Email Hacking Your Spouse A Crime?
What do you think? Is that taking it too far? Should he, as a husband, be allowed to peek? In Walker’s defense, the man on the side was Mrs. Walker’s ex-husband, who had previously been arrested for assault in front of their child. Leon’s seeking custody to protect his step-daughter.
Regardless of how this shakes out, it’s a clear warning to nosy significant others. Ditch the predictable e-mail bust and opt for spying Inspector Gadget style with a fancy watch-cam or poking around with James Bond movie-quality gizmos. They may not save an imploding relationship, but at least you’ll look cool trying.
Caroline Walker is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor. She has worked in both the entertainment and the nonprofit sector. Walker holds a BA from the University of Southern California and an MA from New York University’s Gallatin School.
Good. It’s an invasion of privacy. Plus, what was he expecting to gain from it? Although, if he was trying to protect his kids, then that’s something entirely different than just being crazy.