IT and the LAW

The Computer Misuse Act of 1990 In the early 1980s in the UK, hacking was not illegal. Some universities stipulated that hacking, especially where damage was done to data files, was a disciplinary offence, but there was no legislative framework within which a criminal prosecution could be brought. The Computer Misuse Act of 1990 defined three specific criminal offences to deal with the problems of hacking, viruses and other nuisances. - unauthorised access to computer programs or data - unauthorised access with a further criminal intent - unauthorised modification of computer material (i.e. programs or data)

Data Protection Act of 12th July 1984 / 1998 Anyone processing personal data must comply with the eight enforceable principles of good practice. They say that data must be: 1. Fairly and lawfully processed; 2. Processed for limited purposes; 3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive; 4. Accurate; 5. Not kept longer than necessary; 6. Processed in accordance with the data subject's rights; 7. Secure Unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure Unauthorised or accidental loss or destruction of data. 8. Not transferred to countries without adequate protection.

Software Copyright Laws Computer software is now covered by the Copyright Designs and Patents Act of 1988, which covers a wide range of intellectual property such as music, literature and software. Provisions of the Act make it illegal to: - copy software - run pirated software - transmit software over a telecommunications line, thereby creating a copy