Is online impersonation illegal without the consent of the person being impersonated?

Online impersonation typically involves creating a false identity or misrepresenting oneself as another person without their consent, which can lead to various forms of harm or deceit. Since many jurisdictions have laws that classify such actions as illegal, the assertion that it is always illegal aligns with the general legal framework surrounding impersonation, particularly when it comes to the potential for fraud, harassment, or defamation.

The legality of online impersonation often depends on the intent and the effects of the impersonation. In many cases, impersonation can lead to significant emotional, reputational, and financial harm to the person being impersonated. Laws are also put in place to protect personal identity and the integrity of communications, and those laws typically do not allow for exceptions based on the impersonator's intention, whether it is perceived as harmless or done for comedic purposes.

Considering the context in which impersonation can result in serious repercussions, it reinforces that impersonation without consent is fundamentally objectionable and often against the law, affirming that the correct answer is indeed that it is always illegal.