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| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to make provision for securing computer material against unauthorised access or modification; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 1990 c. 18 |
| Introduced by | Michael Colvin |
| Territorial extent |
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| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 June 1990 |
| Commencement | 29 August 1990 |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced partly in response to the decision in R v Gold & Schifreen (1988) 1 AC 1063. Critics of the bill[who?] complained that it was introduced hastily, was poorly thought out, and that intention was often difficult to prove, with the bill inadequately differentiating "joyriding" hackers like Gold and Schifreen from serious computer criminals. The Act has nonetheless become a model from which several other countries, including Canada and the Republic of Ireland, have drawn inspiration when subsequently drafting their own information security laws, as it is seen "as a robust and flexible piece of legislation in terms of dealing with cybercrime".[1] Several amendments have been passed to keep the Act up to date.
- ^ IISS Global Perspectives – Power in Cyberspace. Q&A with Nigel Inkster, Director, Transnational Threats and Political Risk, IISS. 18 January 2011.