IT laws

Concerns the privacy and security of personal data and how such data can be stored and processed.

Organisations such as shops, schools, businesses etc that hold our personal data must ensure that the data is:

• processed fairly and lawfully
• obtained for specified purposes
• adequete, relevant and not excessive
• accurate and up to date
• not kept longer than necessary
• processed respecting the rights of people
• kept secure
• not transferred outside of Europe 

Makes it illegal to gain unauthorised access to comouters or information (hacking) and aims to prevent the use of computers for any kinds of malicious purpose.

The CMA makes the following illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment:

• software piracy
• planting viruses
• hacking
• fraud

Concerns copyright, plagiarism and piracy (for both electronic and non-electronic work)

Criminal offence to copy or steal another person's media/work/ideas

Illegal to:

• Copy or distribute media without a proper licence or copyright owner's permission
• Use purchased media on more computers than you have licences for

Stops people illegally downloading media. Internet service providers (ISPs) can collect data about repeat offenders. 

If offenders continue downloading then their internet access can be slowed or suspended.