Texas Penal Code

§ 33.023 — ELECTRONIC DATA TAMPERING

PE § 33.023Title 7. OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY · Ch. 33. COMPUTER CRIMES

Statute text

(a)In this section, "ransomware" means a computer contaminant or lock that restricts access by an unauthorized person to a computer, computer system, or computer network or any data in a computer, computer system, or computer network under circumstances in which a person demands money, property, or a service to remove the computer contaminant or lock, restore access to the computer, computer system, computer network, or data, or otherwise remediate the impact of the computer contaminant or lock.

(b)A person commits an offense if the person intentionally alters data as it transmits between two computers in a computer network or computer system through deception and without a legitimate business purpose.

(c)A person commits an offense if the person intentionally introduces ransomware onto a computer, computer network, or computer system through deception and without a legitimate business purpose.

(d)Subject to Subsections (d-1) and (d-2), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (d-1) Subject to Subsection (d-2), if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant acted with the intent to defraud or harm another, an offense under this section is:

(1)a Class C misdemeanor if the aggregate amount involved is less than $100 or cannot be determined;

(2)a Class B misdemeanor if the aggregate amount involved is $100 or more but less than $750;

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Legislative history

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 684 (H.B. 9), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017.