Maryland § 10-4A-03
Full text of Maryland Maryland Code § 10-4A-03, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 10-4A-03.
(a) (1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person or entity providing an electronic communication service to the public may not knowingly divulge to any other person or entity the contents of a communication while the communication is in electronic storage by that service.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person or entity providing remote computing service to the public may not knowingly divulge to any other person or entity the contents of any communication which is carried or maintained on that service:
(i) On behalf of, and received by means of electronic transmission from, or created by means of computer processing of communications received by means of electronic transmission from, a subscriber or customer of the service; and
(ii) Solely for the purpose of providing storage or computer processing services to a subscriber or customer, if the provider is not authorized to access the contents of any communications for purposes of providing any services other than storage or computer processing.
(b) A person or entity may divulge the contents of a communication:
(1) To an addressee or intended recipient of the communication or an agent of the addressee or intended recipient;
(2) If authorized under the provisions of this subtitle;
(3) With the lawful consent of the originator or an addressee or intended recipient of the communication, or the subscriber in the case of remote computing service;
(4) To a person employed or authorized or whose facilities are used to forward the communication to its destination;
(5) If necessarily incident to the rendition of the service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider of that service; or
(6) To a law enforcement agency, if the contents:
(i) Were inadvertently obtained by the service provider; and
(ii) Appear to pertain to the commission of a crime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maryland § 10-4A-03
What does Maryland Code § 10-4A-03 cover?
Section 10-4A-03 is part of the Maryland Code, the codified statutory law of Maryland. 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 Maryland § 10-4A-03?
A common citation format is "Maryland Code § 10-4A-03" (Maryland). 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 Maryland law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Maryland official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Maryland attorney.
How does Maryland § 10-4A-03 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Maryland 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 Maryland.