Could it possibly be equally as unlawful to lie about your age as it is to download trade secrets from your employer's computer? Some say that both may constitute a violation of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030 (“CFAA”), and therefore the statute must be amended.

In recent years, the number of prosecutions under the CFAA has increased. These cases have been watched closely by many employers because the CFAA is not just a criminal statute. Rather, provided certain conditions are met, the civil provisions of the CFAA create a private right of action against those who wrongfully access, or exceed their authorized access, to a protected computer (as defined by the CFAA to include computers used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication).