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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66452</law_id><section_number>18.2-190.1</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>18.2-187.1</reference><reference>18.2-190.2</reference><reference>8.01-46.2</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="18.2">Crimes and Offenses Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="6">Crimes Involving Fraud</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="5.1">Offenses Involving Electronic Communication Devices</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic communication device</span>&#x201D; means (i) any type of instrument, device, machine, equipment or software that is capable of transmitting, acquiring, encrypting, decrypting or receiving any signs, signals, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems or (ii) any part, <span class="dictionary">accessory</span> or component of such an instrument, device, machine, equipment or software, including, but not limited to, any computer <span class="dictionary">circuit</span>, computer chip, security module, smart card, electronic mechanism, or other component, <span class="dictionary">accessory</span> or part, that is capable of facilitating the transmission, acquisition, encryption, decryption or reception of signs, signals, writings, images, and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Electronic communication service</span>&#x201D; means any service provided for a charge or compensation to facilitate the lawful origination, transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature through the use of an <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span> as that term is defined in this section.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Electronic communication service</span> provider</span>&#x201D; means any person or entity providing any <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> including (i) any person or entity owning or operating any cable television, satellite, Internet-based, telephone, wireless, microwave, fiber optic, data transmission or radio distribution network, system or facility; (ii) any person or entity that for a fee supplies equipment or services to an <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> provider</span>; and (iii) any person or entity providing an <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> directly or indirectly using any of the systems, networks, or facilities described in clause (i).
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Equipment or materials used to manufacture an <span class="dictionary">unlawful <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span></span></span>&#x201D; means (i) a scanner capable of intercepting the electronic serial number or mobile identification number of a cellular or other wireless telephone; (ii) electronic software or hardware capable of altering or changing the factory-installed electronic serial number of a cellular or other wireless telephone or a computer containing such software; (iii) a list of cellular or other wireless telephone electronic serial numbers with their associated mobile identification numbers; or (iv) a part, <span class="dictionary">accessory</span> or component of an unlawful electronic communications device possessed or used in the manufacture of such device including any electronic serial number, computer software, mobile identification number, service access card, account number, or personal identification number used to acquire, receive, use, decrypt or transmit an <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> without the actual consent or knowledge of the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> provider</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Manufacture of an <span class="dictionary">unlawful <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span></span></span>&#x201D; means to make, produce or assemble an <span class="dictionary">unlawful <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span></span>, or to modify, alter, program or reprogram an <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span> to be capable of performing any of the illegal functions of an <span class="dictionary">unlawful <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span></span> as that term is defined in this section.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Sell</span>&#x201D; means to <span class="dictionary">sell</span>, exchange, lease, give or dispose of to another or to offer or agree to do the same.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Unlawful <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span></span>&#x201D; means any <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span> that has been manufactured, designed, developed, altered, modified, programmed or reprogrammed, alone or in conjunction with another <span class="dictionary">electronic communication device</span>, so as to be capable of facilitating the disruption, acquisition, receipt, transmission, retransmission or decryption of an <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> without the actual consent or knowledge of the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> provider</span>. Such unlawful devices include, but are not limited to (i) any device, technology, product, service, equipment, computer software, or any component or part thereof, primarily distributed, sold, designed, assembled, developed, manufactured, modified, programmed, reprogrammed or used for the purpose of facilitating the unauthorized receipt of, transmission of, disruption of, decryption of, access to, or acquisition of any <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> provided by any <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> provider</span>; and (ii) any type of instrument, device, machine, equipment, technology, or software that is primarily designed, assembled, manufactured, developed, sold, distributed, possessed, used or offered, promoted or advertised for the purpose of defeating or circumventing any technology, device or software, or any component or part thereof, used by the provider, owner or licensee of any <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> or of any data, audio or video programs or transmissions, to protect any such electronic communication, data, audio or video services, programs or transmissions from unauthorized receipt, acquisition, access, decryption, disclosure, communication, transmission or retransmission.</p></section></text><history>1993, c. 439; 1998, c. 518; 2002, c. 671; 2003, c. 354.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
