Hackers face terrorism law

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http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3TO0ILEJC&live=true&tagid=ZZZC00L1B0C&subheading=information%20technology

By Robert Shrimsley, Chief Political Correspondent
Published: February 19 2001 21:09GMT

So-called "cyberterrorists" who endanger lives by undermining computer
systems will be covered by new anti-terrorism laws.

The Terrorism Act extends the definition of those covered by its
provisions and includes London-based terror groups who plan attacks
outside the UK as well as any group that threatens or plans serious
violence in Britain.

Under the act, the government can add foreign organisations, such as
Hamas and Hezbollah, to its list of outlawed organisations. Membership
of, and financial support for, a proscribed organisation is illegal
and a criminal offence.

Although aimed primarily at British-based groups planning outrages
abroad, Jack Straw, home affairs secretary, confirmed it would include
those who disrupted hospitals or power supplies by hacking into their
computer systems.

However, the measure has attracted much opposition.

Dr Ghayasauddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim parliament, said many
British Asians would feel intimidated by the new laws.

Pakistanis campaigning for self-determination in Kashmir would feel
they were being discriminated against, he said, adding that there had
to be a distinction drawn between freedom fighters and terrorists so
that people could feel sure they would not be intimidated for acting
to end human rights abuses.

Simon Hughes, the opposition Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman,
said: "If you are a trade union leader calling for a strike at a
hospital, you would effectively be caught by the legislation," he
said.

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