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Life Sentences For Serious Cyberattacks Proposed In Britain

Posted by samzenpus on from the do-not-pass-go dept.

Bismillah (993337) writes 'The British government wants life in prison for hackers who cause disruption to computer networks, resulting in loss of life or threat to the country's national security. From the article: "The UK government will seek to amend the 1990 Computer Misuse Act "to ensure sentences for attacks on computer systems fully reflect the damage they cause. Currently, the law provides for a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment for those who commit the offence of impairing a computer. A new, aggravated offence of unauthorised access to a computer will be introduced into the Computer Misuse Act by the government, carrying far longer sentences."'

6 of 216 comments (clear)

  1. Another case of 'same, but with a computer' by zAPPzAPP · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The first part 'loss of life' should already be covered by simply applying murder and/or manslaughter charges. There is no reason to invent a new law for this, only because it's done with a computer.

    The second part 'threat to the country's national security' on the other hand is such a broad term, it is basicly a blank check where they can fill in any sentence for any crime as they wish.

    So I guess it's really about the second part, and the first part is only there to give it more weight: 'HACKERS MIGHT KILL YOU!'

    1. Re:Another case of 'same, but with a computer' by Trepidity · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The first part 'loss of life' should already be covered by simply applying murder and/or manslaughter charges. There is no reason to invent a new law for this, only because it's done with a computer.

      A cynical guess as to why they might want a separate law is because the prosecutor doesn't want to have to actually prove murder and/or manslaughter according to conventional standards of evidence.

      --
      10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  2. This is why no Briton.... by metrix007 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...is in a position to criticism the US. I lived in Scotland for years, so I'm fairly familiar with the UK, and from Oz originally.

    The US is losing it's way, but not as badly as the UK. Crazy amounts of surveillance, very poor rights for photographers and journalists, ridiculous laws such as going to jail if you forget an encryption key...

    Not to mention this nonsense. Prison is not meant to be primarily a deterrent, but a way to rehabilitate if possible. Because, you know, the punishment should fit the crime.

    Something all western countries seem to have forgotten...

    --
    If you ignore ACs because they are anonymous - you're an idiot.
  3. Re:Why not the death sentence while You're at it? by MRe_nl · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, the death sentence is reserved for politicians and prime ministers who go to war on false pretenses just to get re-elected, resulting in loss of life or threat to the country's national security. From the article: "The UK government will seek to ensure sentences for attacks on society fully reflect the damage they cause".

    --
    "Kill 'em all and let Root sort 'em out"
  4. Re:if they float they are guilty by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The next test for guilt in "hackers" might be that they float

    Real hackers only use int.

  5. Re:Why not the death sentence while You're at it? by vivian · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't see why causing death by a hack should have any special treatment compared to causing death by an ice pick, a bullet, high voltage electricity, or any other exotic means.

    There should be no special legislation needed for this.