Someone is impersonating me online. What offence is this?

What the Law Says

The Computer Misuse Act criminalises unauthorised access to computer material — which includes using someone else’s identity or credentials online without permission.

Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act makes it an offence to cause a computer to perform any function with intent to secure unauthorised access to any program or data held in any computer. This covers acts like logging into someone’s social media, email, or messaging accounts using their password or other credentials — even if no further harm (e.g., fraud or defamation) occurs.

Impersonation that involves accessing or using another person’s online account without consent falls squarely within this provision — because the impersonator is gaining unauthorised access to data (e.g., profile information, messages, settings) stored in a computer system.

The law applies regardless of whether the impersonator intended to cause harm, deceive others, or gain benefit — the key element is the lack of authorisation.

Statutory Text

3.—(1) Any person who causes a computer to perform any function with intent to secure unauthorised access to any program or data held in any computer shall be guilty of an offence.

— Computer Misuse Act, s. 3 — Unauthorised access to computer material

What to Do

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