Tougher penalties for cybercrimes

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/detail.asp?ID=37079&GRP=B

2003/4/25
TAIPEI, Taiwan
The China Post staff

Legislators yesterday gave initial approval to the draft revision of
the Criminal Code to fight growing cyberspace crimes by slapping jail
terms and hefty fines on perpetrators of crimes on the Internet.

Lawmakers on the Judicial Committee of the Legislative Yuan passed the
proposals jointly put forward by the Executive Yuan (Cabinet) and the
Judicial Yuan which see the urgent need for enhanced protection of
computers and the Internet.

After final ratification of the new rules by the Legislature, people
making unauthorized use of others'passwords or invading others'
computers will face jail terms of up to three years plus a fine of up
to NT$100,000 [1].

Those causing losses to individuals or the public by making
unauthorized retrieval, deleting or changing electronic files in other
people's computers are subject to imprisonment for up to five years
plus a fine of under NT$200,000 [2].

Computer hackers paralyzing others' Internet systems or flooding
others' e-mail boxes with electronic mail are placed under this
category and liable to such penalties.

The jail terms for those causing disruptions or inflicting damages to
computer systems or facilities of government organizations can be
increased by 50 percent as deterrence for the purpose of guarding
public interest.

However, the perpetrators of any of the above crimes will face trial
and punishment only after victims file suits against them.

But those supplying or spreading viruses in the cyberspace and causing
serious damages will face public prosecution. The penalties will
include a maximum jail term of five years plus a fine under 
NT$200,000 [2].

[1] 2,861.66 USD
[2] 5,722.77 USD



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