Scorned Lover Uses Net

November 1, 2000

Talk about a bad breakup . . . when a New York resident wanted to get back at his ex-girlfriend he allegedly hired a friend who designed a web site that listed her name, address, phone number, and some pictures. The purpose of this web site was to inundate the ex-girlfriend with phone calls from strangers which would annoy and alarm her. Apparently after receiving some of the phone calls and informing the police, they were able to trace it back to the originators.

The New York Appellate Term, ruled that creating a web site of this nature constituted aggravated harassment because under Penal Law, a person commits aggravated harassment if there is communication between the parties or if that person causes communication to be invoked . . . in a matter that would cause alarm or annoyance. Therefore, even if the ex-boyfriend did not complete any communication with the ex-girlfriend, he is still liable for any contact that was initiated due to the web site.