§ Michael FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he plans to increase the number of arrests of hackers who send viruses via spam advertising. [159750]
§ Caroline FlintThe investigation and arrest of individuals who disseminate viruses is a matter for law enforcement. Where individuals are discovered to have disseminated viruses which cause the unauthorised modification of data they can be prosecuted under Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act.
We have set up the National Hi Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) as part of the National Crime Squad to combat national and transnational hi-tech crime within or which impacts upon the UK. This includes the investigation of hacking and virus writing. The Unit, together with the specialist units within local forces which also deal with such investigations, have established good international links with overseas industry and law enforcement, necessary to follow the evidence trail to discover and prosecute the perpetrators of such offences.
There have been a number of successful prosecutions against virus writers and disseminators.
1812WIn December 2003, the UK introduced new controls on unsolicited direct marketing e-mails, under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations. Direct marketing e-mails may not now be sent to individual subscribers without their prior consent. The new opt-in rules do not apply to direct marketing e-mails sent to corporate subscribers (e.g. limited companies and other organisations). However, all direct marketing e-mails, regardless of who they are sent to, are required by the regulations to contain proper sender and contact details for opt out purposes.