[comp.org.eff.talk] Dutch Hacker Laws ???

dbarberi@rodan.acs.syr.edu ([=-*> ZORGO <*-=]) (04/26/91)

Hey world,

     I've been hearing a lot of talk about the Laws, or lack of, concerning
     computers and computer hacking in the Netherlands.  Can anyone tell
     me specifics about the law that is being considered now, and what
     the 'actual' reality is now ?

	   thanks                 v---- notice the nifty quote! 
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David Barberi             |  "Support the Electronic Frontier Foundation!"   |
Syracuse University       |--------------------------------------------------|
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ropg@ooc.uva.nl (Rop Gonggrijp) (05/01/91)

dbarberi@rodan.acs.syr.edu ([=-*> ZORGO <*-=]) writes:

>     I've been hearing a lot of talk about the Laws, or lack of, concerning
>     computers and computer hacking in the Netherlands.  Can anyone tell
>     me specifics about the law that is being considered now, and what
>     the 'actual' reality is now ?

Well, it's a long story... In essence there is a proposal that our 2 chambers
of parliament still have to vote on that says breaking into a computer system
is a felony and can get you a maximum of 3 months in prison. This same pro-
posal deals with electronic bank fraud and the rights of the police to kick
in doors and confiscate computer equipment among many other things.

The High Court here ruled however that a computer file is a document in the
sense of the law, thus making (according to some lawyers) the whole thing
rather futile except for the hacking article. The CRI, our 'feds' are putting
eenormous pressure behind passing this law ("COMPUTER CRIME COSTS 20 BILLION
EACH YEAR") and are not likely to give up.

The events in the US, and especially the Neidorf trial, have made some people
here see that giving the police too many laws to work with isn't a good thing.
I can only hope that people see that computers are not mystical machines that
need special ethics and laws to function.

It'll be at least another while before the law passes (if it does) so until
then, visit the hacker haven...


-- 
Rop Gonggrijp (ropg@ooc.uva.nl) is also editor of  Hack-Tic (hack/phreak mag.)
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        freedom of signature will do just fine"  | 1100 DL  AMSTERDAM
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