# Using Someone Else's Wireless Network \*Is\* Illegal

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 6, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633 "2006-04-06T21:48:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 4

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633/61 "2006-04-07T21:20:29Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=Loopydude]  
Ehhh, now that I think of it, the cops would have to click icons, open directories, open files, copy them, etc. These are things not in plain view, as it were, so perhaps it would be illegal search and seizure.  
[/QUOTE]

Good point. But the police probably could sit outside and examine the wireless traffic the owner generates and “see” what he is “seeing”. I suspect this might even be legal for a neighbor too - similar to using a scanner to listen in on cordless phone calls.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633/62 "2006-04-07T21:32:13Z")

</div>

Just came across [this](http://www.digitaltelevision.com/articles/article_865.shtml):

> [@](#):
>
> According to Section 633 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. ß553), “No person shall intercept or receive or assist in intercepting or receiving any communications service offered over a cable system, unless specifically authorized to do so by a cable operator or as may otherwise be specifically authorized by law.”

This would apply if your neighbor has a cable modem supplying internet to his AP. If he has DSL…? If you’re using his AP but not the internet…?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633/63 "2006-04-07T21:50:42Z")

</div>

I honestly don’t know whether it’s cable or DSL, but my guess would be cable. Interesting! So, treating the wireless essentially like a splice, if I’m communicating through her cable connection, it’s an illegal misappropriation, right? A little like busting Capone for mail fraud?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![the\_PC\_apeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac8455/32.png) [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633/64 "2006-04-07T22:03:16Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=Loopydude]  
I honestly don’t know whether it’s cable or DSL, but my guess would be cable. Interesting! So, treating the wireless essentially like a splice, if I’m communicating through her cable connection, it’s an illegal misappropriation, right? A little like busting Capone for mail fraud?  
[/QUOTE]

Something like that.

Here’s a disturbing thought… I bet cable companies have terms in their service agreements that prevent people from sharing TV signals with their neighbors. I wonder if they have similar terms regarding internet. I checked my DSL terms of service but didn’t find anything concrete.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633.md?page=3)