NC S433

Creates new criminal offense of online impersonation under North Carolina General Statutes § 14-459, prohibiting use of another person's name or persona without consent with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten.

Establishes two unlawful acts: (1) creating web pages or posting messages on commercial social networking sites or internet websites using another's identity, and (2) sending electronic communications referencing another's identifying information to deceive recipients into believing the person authorized the communication.

Violating the first offense or sending emergency communications to solicit law enforcement response constitutes a Class D felony with potential fine up to $10,000; all other violations are Class A1 misdemeanors with potential fine up to $4,000.

Provides that if impersonation information is used to commit a separate crime against the victim, the impersonator is guilty of aiding and abetting that separate crime.

Exempts commercial social networking sites, internet service providers, interactive computer services, telecommunications service providers, video service providers, and cable service providers when acting within their business capacity.

Becomes effective December 1, 2021, for offenses committed on or after that date.