Another civil case invoking the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Representative Mike Honda of California has sued his campaign opponent alleging violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The CFAA provides for both criminal and civil actions. Although we often focus on the criminal prosecutions under the CFAA, this case illustrates its important impact on civil law disputes, as well, in the context of cybersecurity breaches.
Congressman Honda represents much of Silicon Valley in Congress. He alleges that his opponent’s former campaign manager accessed donor lists from previous Honda campaigns through the Dropbox account of a fundraising company without appropriate authorization.
Honda’s complaint in federal district court in California contends that the campaign manager previously worked for a political fundraising company. After that working relationship ended, Honda alleges that the campaign manager continued to access the company’s digital files, including the Dropbox account containing a list of Honda campaign donors.
Read more on the Legal Solutions Blog.
See also Courthouse News for more detailed coverage, but there’s no need to buy the complaint from them, because both the L.A. Times and Ars Technica give you free access to it.