Texas Law

[Dreadist]

Hello fellow Technibble members,

I did a search to see if anyone has found this issue involving Texas, I was reading that in order to do any type of work on a computer you need to have a Private Investigator licence. The articles I've been reading are in the late 2000s so I am wondering if this law is still in affect for Texas or they took it out.

[mraikes]

I think it's mostly (but not all) a bunch of FUD. I can't tell if it's still an active rule BUT if you're not conducting investigative services to solve criminal or civil matters it doesn't apply to you. Don't be Magnum P.I. with a computer and it won't matter.

So go ahead and remove viruses, recover that picture of Great-Aunt Mabel from a bad hard drive, and go on with your business. Don't participate in the investigation of civil or criminal cases.

Here's an interpretation from the Texas Department of Public Safety

Quote:

Computer Repair & Technical Assistance Services
October 18, 2007
Computer repair or support services should be aware that if they offer to perform investigative services, such as assisting a customer with solving a computer-related crime, they must be licensed as investigators. The review of computer data for the purpose of investigating potential criminal or civil matters is a regulated activity under Chapter 1702 of the Texas Occupations Code, as is offering to perform such services. Section 1702.102 provides as follows:

Unquote. With of course more details following this extract.

You can find it here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/psb_opin_sum.htm

[Appleby]

It's a non-issue. I don't remember how it ended up....if they changed the badly worded law or not but basically it was made know that was not the law nor the intentions of the law.

[Dreadist]

Oh ok thank you, I was just curious and didn't want to end up in a legal suit. Appreciate the input, I shall continue my business as usual, thank you again.

[geekhelp4u]

Oddly enough I saw this a year ago also.

The law says anyone who retrieves data from a computer, analyzes it and makes a report to a third party must obtain a private investigator’s license.

[colonydata]

Originally Posted by geekhelp4u

Oddly enough I saw this a year ago also.

The law says anyone who retrieves data from a computer, analyzes it and makes a report to a third party must obtain a private investigator’s license.

and generally for that case you would need to be a certified forensic examiner as well.

[Dreadist]

Yes I believe that the law is very bad written, I'm going to do my own investigation on near by shops and ask some of the techs if they have had any issues involving a PI license.

[StableSolutions]

I've seen that before as well. My business is based in Texas and I've had no issues. I do have a general confidentiality agreement with my customers though, mostly for their peace of mind but it helps to protect you both.