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Illinois Statutes Chapter 720. Criminal Offenses § 5/26-4.5. Consumer communications privacy

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

§ 26-4.5. Consumer communications privacy.

(a) For purposes of this Section, “communications company” means any person or organization which owns, controls, operates or manages any company which provides information or entertainment electronically to a household, including but not limited to a cable or community antenna television system.

(b) It shall be unlawful for a communications company to:

(1) install and use any equipment which would allow a communications company to visually observe or listen to what is occurring in an individual subscriber's household without the knowledge or permission of the subscriber;

(2) provide any person or public or private organization with a list containing the name of a subscriber, unless the communications company gives notice thereof to the subscriber;

(3) disclose the television viewing habits of any individual subscriber without the subscriber's consent; or

(4) install or maintain a home-protection scanning device in a dwelling as part of a communication service without the express written consent of the occupant.

(c) Sentence. A violation of this Section is a business offense, punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation.

(d) Civil liability. Any person who has been injured by a violation of this Section may commence an action in the circuit court for damages against any communications company which has committed a violation. If the court awards damages, the plaintiff shall be awarded costs.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Illinois Statutes Chapter 720. Criminal Offenses § 5/26-4.5. Consumer communications privacy - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-720-criminal-offenses/il-st-sect-720-5-26-4-5/

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