OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Governor Chris Gregoire has signed into a law a bill to help victims of online impersonation pursue lawsuits in civil court.
The bill, signed by the governor Wednesday, passed through both the Washington state House and the Senate unanimously.
Under the law, humiliating, defrauding or threatening others by maliciously impersonating them on social networks or online bulletin boards will be grounds to file a lawsuit.
The measure will not apply to police officers impersonating others online as part of a criminal investigation.
The law will go into effect in June.
