YEREVAN.- Social media identity theft in Armenia is not classified as a criminal offence, police representative said.

Andrey Yashchyan, expert from department on struggle against high tech crimes, said “borrowing” of personal data, unlike hacking of an account, refers to administrative offence. Breaking the account, by contrast, refers to a criminal offense.

But if someone is taking advantage of having an open access to online information, including photos, and is presenting himself as an owner of the account, the victim will have to settle the issue without the help of law enforcers.  

Under the relevant article of the Armenian Criminal Code, libel and defamation are considered administrative offenses.

At the same time, the police spokesman informed about a number of successfully investigated cases involving blackmail in social networks. There was a situation when the offender was blackmailing his victim staying in a penitentiary.

Yashchyan said few are able to crack the account. The criminals mainly get information under false pretenses or with the help of virus. In order to minimize the possible negative effects of social networks, police representative reminded of the need to follow simple rules: be careful while choosing a password, sign off while using other person’s computer.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am