---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 U.S.C. § 1810"
title: "50"
title_heading: "War and National Defense"
number: "1810"
heading: "Civil liability"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/50/1810"
units:
  - "Chapter 36 — Foreign Intelligence Surveillance"
  - "Subchapter I — Electronic Surveillance"
---

# §1810. Civil liability


An [aggrieved person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=k), other than a [foreign power](/usc/50/1801.md?p=a) or an [agent of a foreign power](/usc/50/1801.md?p=b), as defined in [section 1801(a)](/usc/50/1801.md?p=a) or (b)(1)(A) of this title, respectively, who has been subjected to an [electronic surveillance](/usc/50/1801.md?p=f) or about whom information obtained by [electronic surveillance](/usc/50/1801.md?p=f) of such [person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=m) has been disclosed or used in violation of [section 1809 of this title](/usc/50/1809.md) shall have a cause of action against any [person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=m) who committed such violation and shall be entitled to recover—

- (a) actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages equal to the greater of—
  - (1) if the [aggrieved person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=k) is a [United States person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=i), $10,000 or $1,000 per day for each day of violation; or
  - (2) for any other [aggrieved person](/usc/50/1801.md?p=k), $1,000 or $100 per day for each day of violation;
- (b) punitive damages; and
- (c) reasonable attorney’s fees and other investigation and litigation costs reasonably incurred.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–511, title I, § 110, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1796; Pub. L. 118–49, § 15(a), Apr. 20, 2024, 138 Stat. 882.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–49 amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages of $1,000 or $100 per day for each day of violation, whichever is greater;”.