Using police database for obtaining information in circumstances where use is expressly forbidden is a crime

Van Buren Vs United States (Supreme Court of United States) Facts- The main issue involved is unauthorized access of computer under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 86 by a police sergeant. As alleged, the police sergeant used his patrol-car computer to access a law enforcement database to retrieve information about a particular license plate number in exchange for money. The actions of police sergeant were part of Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation. Accordingly, he was charged with a felony violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 1986. Conclusion- It was held that ‘In t...