Can you go to jail for a fake social media account?

Whether for Facebook accounts, Xbox Live, or a pointless survey that your friend asked you to fill out, using a fake name online in any capacity could get you arrested. Moreover, you could be charged with the federal crime of hacking, which is punishable for between 5-20 years in prison.

Can you get arrested for fake accounts?

“For example, it may be a criminal offence if a profile is created under the name of the victim with fake information uploaded which, if believed, could damage their reputation and humiliate them,” the spokesman said. “This may amount to an offence, such as grossly offensive communication or harassment.”

What is the punishment for fake account?

The most relevant section for fake accounts is Sec 66D of the IT Act which states that: “Whoever, by means of any communication device or computer resource cheats by personation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend up to three years and shall also be liable to a fine …

Can you go to jail for making a fake Facebook?

Impersonating Others Can Lead to Legal Trouble In California, for example, a new law makes it a misdemeanor for someone to make a fake Facebook profile of a real person if the purpose of the fake profile is to harm, intimidate, threaten, or defraud. Conviction could result in up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000.

What happens if you get caught with a fake social media account?

Harassment or terror: If you created a fake social media account to threaten to harm or hurt other people, you could face criminal charges in California and elsewhere in the U.S.

What is the punishment for making a fake Facebook account?

Making a random fake account is not punishable per se unless it is fraudulent under the cyber laws of the country which has already been discussed above. It was punishable under Section 66A (b) that stipulates that a person guilty of sending information which he knows to be false and is aimed to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger etc.

What is the punishment for sending false information on social media?

It was punishable under Section 66A (b) that stipulates that a person guilty of sending information which he knows to be false and is aimed to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger etc. And fake profile on a social media may amount to false information. The imprisonment was up to three years and a fine could also be levied.

Is it a crime to impersonate someone on social media?

If your actions on social media while impersonating another person fall into one of these categories, then you may be committing a crime in California: Harassment or terror: If you created a fake social media account to threaten to harm or hurt other people, you could face criminal charges in California and elsewhere in the U.S.