Legal Question in Technology Law in Wisconsin

When they were angry, my parents took my friend's phone and then read his text messages even though he asked for the phone back. He is above 18. Is this an illegal invasion of privacy?


Asked on 5/22/14, 6:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

JAY Nixon nixon law offices

Even if it is an invasion of privacy, what would your friend do about it, sue his parents? Small violations of all of our legal rights occur on a daily basis. Most are simply normal annoyances of life which are not grave enough to warrant court involvement, and better avoided by other means. In your 18 year old friend's case, all he needs to do it become financially independent and separate from his parents (including the family phone account), in which event they will not be able to access his phone any more. Courts and lawyers can only help with rights violations when they become "actionabe," which usually means being able to prove monetary damages, of which there may not be any here. However, restraining orders against harassment are possible in appropriate cases, even if there are no monetary damages, even if not in this case.

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Answered on 5/23/14, 4:37 am


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