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Updated Computer Misuse Act

Date: July 17, 2006
Source: ZDNet UK


A Conservative peer's attempt to amend a law that could criminalise IT professionals has failed.

The Earl of Northesk's attempt to introduce amendments to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) through the Police and Justice Bill 2006 did not pass committee stage discussions on Wednesday.

This proposed law has been heavily criticised by Lords and senior security experts, who say it could criminalise both the police and innocent IT professionals who build or make available programs which are then used for hacking.

The Earl of Northesk attempted to delete a section of the Act which he argued will make it illegal to create or distribute software tools that are likely to be used for hacking purposes. The clause, sub paragraph (b) of Section 41 of the Act, makes it an offence to release any application that is likely to be used for cybercrime purposes.
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