Computer Legislation

Computer Legislation

1. Data Protection Act

   • Fairly and lawfully processed
   • Processed for limited purposes
   • Adequate, relevant and not excessive
   • Accurate
   • Not kept for longer than is necessary
   • Processed in line with your rights
   • Secure
   • Not transferred to other countries without adequate protection
   • In April 2011 Sony allowed hackers to break into its online store, exposing a raft of personal information such as names, addresses, dates of birth and credit card information to criminals.

2. Computer misuse act

   • The Computer Misuse Act is designed to protect computer users against wilful attacks and theft of information.
   • Offences under the act include hacking, unauthorised access to computer systems and purposefully spreading malicious and damaging software (malware), such as viruses.
   • 21-year-old Gareth Cross of West Sussex was sentenced to twelve months after hacking into a private Facebook account.

3. Freedom of information act

   • Protects information that is properly classified in the interest of national security
   • Protects records related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency
   • Protects records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes
   • Protects geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.
   • Prosecution of England footballer Steven Gerrard provoked so much interest among police officers that 130 of them breached data protection laws to view his file

4. Copyright, designs and patents act

   • It gives the creators of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works the right to control the ways in which their material may be used.