Section 16-11-60. Definitions

   As used within this part, the term:

   (1) "Device" means an instrument or apparatus used for overhearing, recording, intercepting, or transmitting sounds or for observing, photographing, videotaping, recording, or transmitting visual images and which involves in its operation electricity, electronics, or infrared, laser, or similar beams. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "device" shall specifically include any camera, photographic equipment, video equipment, or other similar equipment or any electronic, mechanical, or other apparatus which can be used to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication other than:

      (A) Any telephone or telegraph instrument, equipment, or facility or any component thereof:

         (i) Furnished to the subscriber or user by a provider of wire or electronic communication service in the ordinary course of its business and being used by the subscriber or user in the ordinary course of its business or furnished by such subscriber or user for connection to the facilities of such service and used in the ordinary course of its business; or

         (ii) Being used by a provider of wire or electronic communication service in the ordinary course of its business or by an investigative or law enforcement officer in the ordinary course of his or her duties; or

      (B) A hearing aid or similar device being used to correct subnormal hearing to not better than normal;

      (C) Focusing, lighting, or illuminating equipment, optical magnifying equipment; and

      (D) A "pen register" or "trap and trace device" as defined in this Code section.

   (2) "Pen register" means a device or process which records or decodes dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information transmitted by an instrument or facility from which a wire or electronic communication is transmitted; provided, however, that such information shall not include the contents of any communication; but such term does not include any device or process used by a provider or customer of a wire or electronic communication service for billing, or recording as an incident to billing, for communications services provided by such provider or any device or process used by a provider or customer of a wire communication service for cost accounting or other like purposes in the ordinary course its business.

   (3) "Private place" means a place where one is entitled reasonably to expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance.

   (4) "Trap and trace device" means a device or process which captures the incoming electronic or other impulses which identify the originating number or other dialing, routing, addressing, and signaling information reasonably likely to identify the source of a wire or electronic communication; provided, however, that such information shall not include the contents of any communication.

Ga. L. 1967, p. 844, § 1; Code 1933, § 26-3009, enacted by Ga. L. 1968, p. 1249, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 16; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1051, § 2; Ga. L. 2000, p. 875, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1432, § 2.