Out-Law News

Hong Kong proposes new measures against hackers


A Hong Kong government working group has proposed new measures to substantially increase the penalties for hacking. The measures would see the present maximum penalty for accessing a computer with a dishonest intent to deceive increase from 5 to 14 years imprisonment.

The report by the Working Group on Computer Related Crime claims that the inconsistency in treatment between traditional crime and cybercrime needs to be addressed.

Further steps could demand the disclosure of decryption keys or the decrypted text of encrypted data in the investigation of serious offences. In addition, every ISP would be required to keep a log of subscribers' details for specified periods.

To combat cross-border hacking, the government would like to see an extension of jurisdiction laws. This would enable local law officers to investigate criminals overseas, although the problem remains of how to bring them before Hong Kong courts for prosecution.

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