Alaska § 42.20.300 - Unauthorized publication or use of communications.
Full text of Alaska Alaska Statutes § 42.20.300 — Unauthorized publication or use of communications., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42.20.300. Unauthorized publication or use of communications.
(a) Except for a party to a private conversation, a person who receives or assists in receiving, or who transmits or assists in transmitting, a private communication may not divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of the communication, except through authorized channels of transmission or reception (1) to the addressee or the agent or attorney of the addressee;
(2) to a person employed or authorized to forward a communication to its destination;
(3) to proper accounting or distributing officers of the various communicating centers over which the communication may be passed;
(4) to the master of a ship under whom the person is serving;
(5) to another on demand of lawful authority; or
(6) in response to a subpoena issued or order entered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Except as provided in AS 12.37 , a person not authorized by a party to the communication may not intentionally intercept a private communication or divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of the intercepted communication to any person.
(c) A person who is not entitled to a communication but who has received the communication may not use it or any information contained in it for personal benefit or another's benefit.
(d) A person who has received a communication and who knows or reasonably should know that the communication and the information contained in it was obtained in violation of this section may not divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of the communication or any part of the communication.
(e) A person who has become acquainted with a communication or the information contained in it, and who is not entitled to the communication, may not use the same for personal benefit or another's benefit, or divulge or publish the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect, or meaning of the communication or any part of the communication.
Source: official Alaska text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Alaska § 42.20.300
What does Alaska Statutes § 42.20.300 cover?
Section 42.20.300 ("Unauthorized publication or use of communications.") is part of the Alaska Statutes, the codified statutory law of Alaska. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Alaska § 42.20.300?
A common citation format is "Alaska Statutes § 42.20.300" (Alaska). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Alaska law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Alaska official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Alaska attorney.
How does Alaska § 42.20.300 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Alaska can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Alaska.