is a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought under this chapter or any other law.
18 U.S.C. § 2707
EDITORIAL NOTES
AMENDMENTS2018-Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 115-141 amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: "a good faith determination that section 2511(3) of this title permitted the conduct complained of;".2002-Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 107-273 made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 107-56, §815 . See 2001 Amendment note below. 2001-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107-56, §223(b)(1), inserted ", other than the United States," after "person or entity". Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107-56, §223(b)(2), added subsec. (d) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (d). Text read as follows: "If a court determines that any agency or department of the United States has violated this chapter and the court finds that the circumstances surrounding the violation raise the question whether or not an officer or employee of the agency or department acted willfully or intentionally with respect to the violation, the agency or department concerned shall promptly initiate a proceeding to determine whether or not disciplinary action is warranted against the officer or employee."Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 107-56, §815, as amended by Pub. L. 107-273, inserted "(including a request of a governmental entity under section 2703(f) of this title)" after "or a statutory authorization".Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107-56, §223(b)(3), added subsec. (g).1996-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104-293, §601(c)(1), substituted "other person" for "customer". Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104-293, §601(c)(2), inserted at end "If the violation is willful or intentional, the court may assess punitive damages. In the case of a successful action to enforce liability under this section, the court may assess the costs of the action, together with reasonable attorney fees determined by the court."Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 104-293, §601(c)(3), (4), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively.
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107-273, §4005, 116 Stat. 1813, provided that the amendment made by section 4005(f)(2) is effective Oct. 26, 2001.
EFFECTIVE DATE Section effective 90 days after Oct. 21, 1986, and, in the case of conduct pursuant to a court order or extension, applicable only with respect to court orders or extensions made after such effective date, see section 202 of Pub. L. 99-508, set out as a note under section 2701 of this title.
- governmental entity
- the term "governmental entity" means a department or agency of the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof.