What is the term for a person who employs or directs another to use an eavesdropping device illegally?

The term that accurately describes a person who employs or directs another to use an eavesdropping device illegally is referred to as the principal. In legal contexts, the principal is typically the individual who is primarily responsible for committing the offense. This person has taken an active role in planning or executing the illegal activity, which in this case involves the use of eavesdropping devices without consent.

Understanding this term is essential in law as it highlights the distinction between the individuals directly involved in the act and those who may be associated with it in a lesser capacity. While terms like co-defendant and co-conspirator involve different levels of involvement in a crime, being labeled as the principal signifies a more direct relation to the unlawful act being carried out. An eavesdropper would be the person physically using the device but does not encompass the broader responsibility of directing or employing others for the illegal act.