§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any proposals to address the problem of home and small business computers in the United Kingdom with broadband connections which are "hijacked" as spam relays. [HL5005]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 makes it a requirement not to send commercial e-mail which disguises or conceals the identity of the person on whose behalf it is sent or does not provide a valid address to which a request that communications cease may be sent. These regulations come into force on 11 December 2003. But in any case the modification of any computer system without the owner's permission is likely to be covered by the Computer Misuse Act 1990. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is currently looking to update the CMA. For some years the DTI has sought to increase awareness of information security, particularly among smaller businesses. One particular initiative to help such companies was announced earlier this year by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. This is an online resource offering easy to understand advice and assistance on information security. This resource can be found atwww.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/ informationsecurity.