Is it illegal to check other people's chat records? Is it serious?

It is illegal to check other people's chat records, and the severity depends on the specific situation.

Viewing other people's chat records without permission is an invasion of privacy. The victim has the right to ask the infringer to stop the infringement, eliminate the influence, restore his reputation, apologize, and demand compensation for losses. If the invasion of privacy is serious, the infringer may also face legal investigation, including administrative punishment or criminal responsibility. Therefore, it is not allowed by law to view other people's chat records without consent.

Legality of chat record:

1. Personal privacy: It involves the protection of personal information, and unauthorized viewing of others' chat records may violate privacy;

2. information security regulations: The state has relevant laws and regulations to protect the security of personal information, and illegally obtaining other people's information may violate relevant laws;

3. Monitor and collect evidence: Under certain circumstances, such as judicial investigation, you need legal authorization to view others' chat records;

4. Morality and social norms: Even if the law does not explicitly prohibit it, it may violate social morality to check others' chat records privately.

To sum up, viewing other people's chat records without permission not only infringes on privacy, but also may lead the infringer to bear legal responsibilities such as stopping the infringement, eliminating the influence, restoring reputation, apologizing, compensating for losses, and even face administrative or criminal punishment in serious cases, which is an act prohibited by law.

Legal basis:

People's Republic of China (PRC) Civil Code

Article 1033

Unless otherwise provided by law or expressly agreed by the obligee, no organization or individual may commit the following acts:

(a) by telephone, SMS, instant messaging tools, e-mail, leaflets, etc. Disturb the private life of others;

(2) Entering, taking photos or peeping into other people's private spaces such as houses and hotel rooms;

(3) Shooting, peeping, eavesdropping or revealing other people's private activities;

(4) Shooting or peeping at the private parts of others' bodies;

(5) handling other people's private information;

(6) Infringe upon the privacy of others in other ways.

People's Republic of China (PRC) Public Security Administration Punishment Law

Article 42

Anyone who peeps, takes photos, eavesdrops or spreads others' privacy shall be detained for not more than 5 days or fined for not more than 500 yuan; If the circumstances are serious, they shall be detained for more than 5 days 10 days, and may also be fined up to 500 yuan.