Computer criminals could get life in prison
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Wednesday July 17, 2002 10:47
by Pat C
This has yet more civil liberties implications. It could also be used against peace activists who hack military sites. Pat
Computer criminals could get life in prison
18:18 16 July 02
NewScientist.com news service
A bill that makes it possible to give life sentences to computer criminals who endanger the lives of others has been approved by the US House of Representatives. The Cyber Security Enhancement Act (CSEA) was passed by 385 votes to three.
The bill was revised in February 2002 to include new powers. One amendment recommends a life sentence if an offender "knowingly or recklessly causes or attempts to cause death". Members of congress championing the act describe this as a crucial deterrent to the possible threat of cyber terrorism.
Other new powers have been introduced to the bill, to try to make tracking down computer criminals easier.
Included is the right to conduct surveillance without a warrant when there is an on-going attack on a computer system or when there is an immediate threat to US national security. But only limited information, such as telephone numbers and Internet Protocol addresses could be gathered in this way.
Some US civil liberties organisations are opposed to the act. Brad Jansen, an analyst with the Free Congress Foundation, a conservative think thank, told CNet News: "Congress should stop chipping away at our civil liberties. A good place to start would be to substantially revise the CSEA to increase, not diminish, oversight and accountability by the government."
The Senate must approve the bill before it can become law. This could take place in the coming months.
Will Knight
This story is from NewScientist.com's news service - for more exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to New Scientist print edition.
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1It seems technology has enabled governments to spy on people in a much more covert and detailed manner than before. By tracking internet browsing, (which can now be tracked without a warrant of any kind) you can build up an detailed profile of an indivduals personality from what they buy, the state of their finances, their sexual preferences etc. Not to mention the obvious addresses, phone numbers of friends etc.
While the internet is a useful tool for dissemination of information, be aware that you browsing could be being monitored. Perhaps vistiors to sites like Cryptome and Blackcode are flagged? Who knows. I don't mean to be scaremongering but I would be slow to post strongly anti-government material online from my home computer and even slower to offer too much personal details.
Indymedia Ireland is a media collective. We are independent volunteer citizen journalists producing and distributing the authentic voices of the people. Indymedia Ireland is an open news project where anyone can post their own news, comment, videos or photos about Ireland or related matters.