-Caveat Lector- from - http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020226/n26127748_1.html
Tuesday February 26, 6:23 pm Eastern Time U.S. House panel OKs boost in cybercrime penalties By Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A House of Representatives panel voted on Tuesday to boost penalties for computer crimes and enable Internet providers to more easily report suspicious behavior to law enforcement authorities. Spurred by worries about electronic terrorism and a dramatic increase in computer viruses and other Internet intrusions, the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime unanimously approved a bill that seeks to better coordinate efforts to fight cybercrime while increasing recommended sentences for those found guilty. Under current law, punishments for cybercrimes are based on the economic damage they cause, which often results in little or no jail time, law enforcement agencies told the subcommittee two weeks ago. The bill approved by the panel would direct the U.S. Sentencing Commission to take into account the perpetrator's intent and other factors such as whether sensitive government computers were the target. "Just as a physical attack can cause injury, a cyberattack can substantially harm our economy and endanger public health and safety," said Rep. Lamar Smith, the Texas Republican who sponsored the bill. Hackers who put human lives at risk, either knowingly or through "reckless" behavior, could face life in prison under the legislation. The bill also would make it easier for Internet service providers to report suspicious activity on their networks. Current law prohibits service providers to report user activity unless it presents an immediate risk of death or injury, and allows users to sue for damages if their privacy is violated. Smith's bill would loosen those requirements to enable service providers to report threats that are not immediate, and would protect them from lawsuits when they do so. It also would reimburse Internet providers for compliance costs, and penalize them if they did not store electronic records, such as customer e-mails, for at least 90 days. The provision has drawn support from Internet providers, who say current law places them in the awkward position of determining the gravity of threats made in their chat rooms or contained in customer e-mails. But a civil liberties group believes the measures could encourage law enforcement agencies -- or any government agency -- to pressure Internet providers to turn over their records without a search warrant, further eroding electronic privacy. "There's no report to a judge, there's no report to Congress ... there's no checks and balances," said Jim Dempsey, a deputy director with the Center for Democracy and Technology. The bill will be taken up by the full Judiciary Committee, most likely in two weeks, Smith said. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
