Virus spreaders to feel the long arm of the law

[mea culpa <jericho () DIMENSIONAL COM>]

http://www.helsinki-hs.net/today/230999-05.html

Virus spreaders to feel the long arm of the law

On Wednesday Parliament approved an amendment to Finnish criminal
legislation that will make the writing and spreading of computer viruses
punishable under law. The decisive second reading of the Bill cites the
offence as a catch-all "Causing danger to data processing systems". Under
the terms of the new law this will be punishable by fines or by prison
terms of up to two years. It is hoped to get the amendment into law as
quickly as possible.

The law stretches a net to catch those writing, making available, or
spreading computer viruses. This effectively means for example that anyone
who keeps a virus program on their website that is available for
downloading by visitors would become liable under the law.  Liability for
punishment is not limited to cases in which actual harm or hindrance is
caused to data systems, or where the data or files of the infected system
are corrupted or destroyed in the process. The intention to harm becomes
the primary criteria for bringing charges, and this allows the authorities
to bring offenders to book even if the virus is caught before it has a
chance to operate. Under current Finnish law there is no official sanction
for the making and disseminating of computer viruses, although there have
been prosecutions in cases where an activated virus has caused damage.

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