Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/19-783_k53l.pdf
Page Number: 31

Cite as:  593 U. S. ____ (2021) 

7 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

ciples of property law, the majority contends that its inter-
pretation is more harmonious with a separate clause in the
statute that forbids “access[ing] a computer without author-
ization.”  §1030(a)(2).  In the majority’s telling, this clause
requires  “a  gates-up-or-down  inquiry—one  either  can  or
cannot access a computer system,” so it makes sense to read 
the “exceeds authorized access” clause in the same sentence 
to include the same approach.  Ante, at 13–14. 

I agree that the two clauses should be read harmoniously,
but there is no reason to believe that if the gates are up in
a  single  instance,  then  they  must  remain  up  indefinitely.
An employee who works with sensitive defense information 
may  generally  have  authority  to  log  into  his  employer-is-
sued laptop while away from the office.  But if his employer
instructs him not to log in while on a trip to a country where 
network  connections  cannot  be  trusted,  he  accesses  the 
computer without authorization if he logs in anyway.  For 
both clauses, discerning whether the gates are up or down
requires considering the circumstances that cause the gates 
to move. 

In fact, my reading harmonizes both clauses with estab-
lished concepts of property law.  Property law generally pro-
tects  against  both  unlawful  entry  and  unlawful  use  after 
entry.  E.g., Restatement (Second) of Torts §214, Comment 
e, at 408–409; 8 C. J. S., Bailments §43, at 480–481.  The 
same is true here.  The police department could protect in-
formation  by  prohibiting  officers  from  logging  in  with  an
improper purpose, but that would do little good if an officer 
logged  in  at  the  start  of  his  shift  with  proper  intent  and
then,  hours  later  while  still  logged  in,  conducted  license-
plate searches in exchange for payment.  By including both
the  “without  authorization”  and  “exceeds  authorized  ac-
cess”  clauses,  Congress  ensured  protection  against  im-
proper login as well as misuse after proper login.