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Analysts slam hacker law changes

I 'ate you Butler...

Technology darling Derek Wyatt MP is proposing changes to the Computer Misuse Act next week but analysts from the Butler Group says the changes don't go far enough.

Wyatt, generally seen as a "tech-friendly" MP, is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Internet Group. He wants to increase sentences for hacking from six months currently to two years. And he wants to introduce a specific offense for Denial of Service attacks.

But Wyatt has only got the equivalent of an "elevator pitch" to convince Parliament. Wyatt is proposing a Ten Minute Rule Bill next Tuesday 5 April.

Alan Lawson, analyst at the Butler Group, said: "These recommendations are simply too light...as hardened criminals would continue to ignore this legislation, if enacted." Lawson also said there was a high likelihood of the government ignoring the recomendations.

Derek Wyatt, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, told El Reg: "Well they're being naive if they think there's any chance of it becoming legislation - that's not the point. The chances are the election will be announced just after I finish speaking. But the point is to get this out there and into the public domain."®

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