---
title: "18 U.S.C. 2521 ECPA: Injunction against illegal interception"
canonical: "https://dposchool.com/ecpa/section/2521"
source: "https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-136/t18/s2521/"
source_note: "Source: United States Code, title 18, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced. Source: United States Code, title 18, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced. Source: United States Code, title 18, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced."
text_as_of: "2026-10-22"
language: "en"
publisher: "DPO School"
---

18 U.S.C. 2521 ECPA · Chapter 119: WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTION AND INTERCEPTION OF ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

# 18 U.S.C. 2521 ECPA: Injunction against illegal interception

United States Code, current through Public Law 119-136 (October 22, 2026). Retrieved 30 October 2026.

## Official text

Whenever it shall appear that any person is engaged or is about to engage in any act which constitutes or will constitute a felony violation of this chapter, the Attorney General may initiate a civil action in a district court of the United States to enjoin such violation. The court shall proceed as soon as practicable to the hearing and determination of such an action, and may, at any time before final determination, enter such a restraining order or prohibition, or take such other action, as is warranted to prevent a continuing and substantial injury to the United States or to any person or class of persons for whose protection the action is brought. A proceeding under this section is governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, except that, if an indictment has been returned against the respondent, discovery is governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

## Source

Source: United States Code, title 18, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced.

Source credit: (Added Pub. L. 99-508, title I, § 110(a) , Oct. 21, 1986 , 100 Stat. 1859 .)

[18 U.S.C. 2521 on the Office of the Law Revision Counsel](https://uscode.house.gov/us/usc/119-136/t18/s2521/)

United States Code, current through Public Law 119-136 (October 22, 2026). Retrieved 30 October 2026.

This is reference material, not legal advice.

## Navigation

[ECPA Navigator](https://dposchool.com/ecpa) / 18 U.S.C. 2521

Previous: [18 U.S.C. 2520 ECPA: Recovery of civil damages authorized](https://dposchool.com/ecpa/section/2520)

Next: [18 U.S.C. 2522 ECPA: Enforcement of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act](https://dposchool.com/ecpa/section/2522)

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