illegal information

USAGE SUMMARY

"illegal information" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to information that is unlawful or against the law. Example: The government is cracking down on websites that provide illegal information, such as how to make explosives or purchase drugs online.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

In December, a panel of Greek judges reduced the charges to illegal information gathering, a spy-related misdemeanor.

The New York Times

In the last year, the government has occasionally arrested people for posting illegal information on the Web.

The New York Times

He met several important sources of illegal information through the South Asian club at the Wharton business school at the University of Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Galleon ended up sounding like a criminal enterprise, where illegal information was bought through elaborate chains aimed at concealing the source of the money.

The New York Times

The government's crackdown on insider trading has ensnared one of the most vocal critics of the campaign to root out illegal information swapping on Wall Street.

The New York Times

As News Corporation seeks to contain a widening investigation into illegal information gathering at its British publishing unit, the company may face fresh allegations at another problematic subsidiary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The News of the World is believed to be planning to settle a court case which threatens to disclose further evidence of the involvement of its ­journalists in illegal information-gathering by private investigators.

The Guardian

Demands were made in Parliament yesterday for the police investigation into illegal information-gathering at the News of the World to be widened as MPs heard claims that senior political and public figures were targeted by a notorious private investigator working for Rupert Murdoch's News International.

Independent

Lennar, which is investigating potential illegal information-gathering by Marsch and Minkow, fell $1.55, or 13.6%, to $9.87, Friday.

Forbes

Saturday were greeted with a message saying that microblogs contained "many rumors and illegal, destructive information".

The New York Times

On the stand, Horvath said that he inferred this to mean illegal, nonpublic information.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters or cybersecurity, use the phrase "illegal information" to clearly denote data obtained or distributed against the law. Be specific about the type of information and the relevant laws to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "illegal information" when you mean "unethical information". "Illegal" refers specifically to breaches of law, while "unethical" describes actions that violate moral principles, even if they are legal. Differentiate clearly to ensure precise communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illegal information" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "illegal" modifies the noun "information". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples in Ludwig show it referring to unlawful data in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illegal information" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe data that is unlawful or against the law. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various sources, predominantly in news and media. Its primary function is to identify information that violates legal standards, making it a crucial term in legal and cybersecurity discussions. Related phrases include "unlawful data" and "illicit intelligence", but it's important not to confuse "illegal" with "unethical". When using the phrase, it's best to be specific about the information type and the relevant laws to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlawful data

Replaces "information" with "data", maintaining the core meaning of something illegal but focusing on the format.

illicit intelligence

Substitutes "information" with "intelligence", suggesting secret and unlawful knowledge.

prohibited data

Uses "prohibited" to emphasize the forbidden nature of the data, slightly altering the tone.

unauthorized disclosures

Focuses on the act of revealing information without permission, shifting the emphasis.

criminal intelligence

Highlights the criminal nature of the information, suggesting involvement in illegal activities.

unlawfully obtained data

Adds detail about how the data was acquired, emphasizing the illegal process.

illegally acquired data

Uses "illegally acquired" to highlight the process of obtaining the information.

black market data

Implies that the information is traded in an illegal marketplace, adding a layer of context.

illegitimate secrets

Replaces "information" with "secrets" to emphasize the confidentiality aspect alongside its illicit nature.

fraudulent intelligence

Highlights the deceitful nature of the data, implying it's used for scams or other fraudulent activities.

FAQs

How can I use "illegal information" in a sentence?

"Illegal information" is used to describe data that is against the law. For example: "The website was shut down for distributing "illegal information" about hacking."

What's a good alternative to "illegal information"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "illicit information", "unauthorized data", or "unlawful data".

Is it correct to say "illegal data" instead of "illegal information"?

Yes, "illegal data" is a valid alternative, especially when referring to digital or structured information. The choice depends on the specific context.

What kinds of activities involve "illegal information"?

Activities involving "illegal information" can include insider trading, the distribution of copyrighted material without permission, or the dissemination of state secrets without authorization.