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Commentary on Judgment No. 17551 of 2023: Unauthorized Access to Computer Systems

The recent judgment No. 17551 of January 30, 2023, filed on April 27, 2023, provides an important overview of the responsibilities of judicial police officers regarding access to computer databases. In particular, the Court reiterated that unauthorized access to a computer system constitutes the crime provided for in Article 615-ter, paragraph three, of the Penal Code, when it occurs for merely exploratory purposes and without a justified suspicion. This in-depth article aims to clarify the details of this judgment and its legal implications.

The Context of the Judgment

In the judgment under review, the Court of Appeal of Brescia declared inadmissible the appeal of a judicial police officer who had made unauthorized accesses to the interforce database. The reasons for such accesses were deemed inadequate, highlighting that the purposes must be strictly related to police activity and not merely exploratory. This aspect is crucial as it establishes a clear boundary between legitimate use of data and abuse of power.

The Headnote of the Judgment

Unauthorized access to a computer or telematic system - Judicial police officer authorized to consult the interforce database - Access for reasons other than those permitted - Merely exploratory investigative purposes - Configurability of the crime - Existence. The conduct of the judicial police officer who accesses the interforce database in violation of internal authorization procedures and for merely exploratory purposes, in order to acquire information about colleagues and public figures in the absence of even a qualified suspicion suitable to stimulate police initiative, integrates the crime provided for in Article 615-ter, paragraph three, of the Penal Code.

This headnote clearly highlights that abuse of access to data cannot be justified if there are no valid and justifiable reasons. The Court emphasized that internal authorization procedures must be strictly adhered to, and any violation entails legal consequences.

Legal Implications and Regulatory References

  • Article 615-ter of the Penal Code: regulates unauthorized access to computer systems.
  • Relevant case law: previous judgments that have dealt with similar cases, such as No. 37339 of 2019 and No. 4694 of 2012, provide a useful reference framework for interpreting the regulations.
  • European regulations regarding data protection and the right to privacy: these regulations are fundamental to understanding the context in which police forces operate.

In summary, judgment No. 17551 of 2023 fits into a line of case law that emphasizes the need for responsible and justifiable use of confidential information, highlighting the importance of transparency and legality in the operations of public administration and law enforcement agencies.

Conclusions

The analyzed judgment represents an important step forward in the protection of legality and privacy. It raises significant questions about the methods of accessing sensitive information and the responsibilities of the designated officers. It is essential that all legal practitioners and professionals in the legal field are aware of these dynamics to ensure that the law is respected and that citizens' rights are always protected.