§ 76-12-207 — Misrepresentation of a call or text communication identification.

Utah § 76-12-207

• Jurisdiction: Utah
• Title 76: Utah Criminal Code
• Ch. 76-12: Offenses Related to Privacy, Information, and Communication
• Part 76-12-2: Electronic Communication Abuse

Text

(1) (1)(a) As used in this section:
(1)(a)(i) "Caller or text message identification information" means information provided by a caller identification service or text message service regarding the telephone number or other information regarding the origination of a call or text message made using a telecommunications service or VoIP voice service.
(1)(a)(ii) "Caller or text message identification service" means a service or device designed to provide the user of the service or device with the telephone number of, or other information regarding, the origination of a call or text message made using a telecommunications service or VoIP voice service, including automatic number identification services.
(1)(a)(iii) "Text message":
(1)(a)(iii)(A) means a real-time or near real-time message consisting of text, images, sounds, or other information transmitted from or received by a device identified by a telephone number; and
(1)(a)(iii)(B) does not include a real-time, two-way voice or video communication.
(1)(a)(iv) "VoIP" means a technology that allows telephone calls to be made over computer networks, including the Internet.
(1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5, 76-12-101, and 76-12-201 apply to this section.
(2) An actor commits misrepresentation of a call or text communication identification if the actor, in connection with a telecommunications service or VoIP voice service, knowingly causes a caller identification service or text message service to transmit false, misleading, or inaccurate caller or text message identification information:
(2)(a) with the intent to harm the recipient of the call or text message; or
(2)(b) to a public safety answering point when reporting an emergency.
(3) (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), a violation of Subsection (2) is a class C misdemeanor.
(3)(b) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor on a second or subsequent violation.
(3)(c) Each separate call or text message is a violation of this section.
(4) This section does not prevent or restrict a person from blocking the capability of a caller or text message identification service to transmit caller or text message identification information.
(5) The following are exempt from this section:
(5)(a) the lawful investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency; and
(5)(b) a court order that specifically authorizes the use of caller or text message identification manipulation.
(6) A violation of this section may be enforced in a civil action initiated by the recipient of a call, message, or text message made in violation of this section, a criminal action initiated by a prosecuting attorney, or both.
(7) This section does not apply to an Internet service provider or hosting company, a provider of public telecommunications services, or a text message service by reason of the fact that the Internet service provider, hosting company, text message service, or provider of public telecommunications services:
(7)(a) transmits, routes, or provides connections for material without selecting the material;
(7)(b) stores or delivers the material at the direction of a user; or
(7)(c) provides a caller or text message identification service.

Legislative History

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 173, 2025 General Session