Posting leaked data

Question

Is it legal to publicly share leaked data (for example, twitter.com user emails, names, and passwords)?

It really depends how you got it and whether you're subject to any agreements not to. — David Schwartz, Jun 12 '16 at 09:27
Possible duplicate of It is legal to save and index a copy of any leaked database? — Pat W., Jun 12 '16 at 11:31
@david assume no agreements (the hypothetical doesn't assert any) and your answer can explain how the manner in which one receives the leaked data affects the result. — , Jun 12 '16 at 14:31

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 12 '16 at 18:23

Oh boy. There's a list of criminal charges that could be in someone's way if that happened. Assuming Canadian law, there are a couple offences coming to mind:

Unauthorized use of a computer. §342.1 of the Criminal Code of Canada:

Everyone is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 10 years, or is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction who, fraudulently and without colour of right,

(d) uses, possesses, traffics in or permits another person to have access to a computer password that would enable a person to commit an offence under paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
Mischief in relation to computer data. §430(1.1) of the Criminal Code of Canada:

Every one commits mischief who wilfully

(c) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use of data;

Posting leaked data

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