Japan makes virus creation illegal

[Jack]

People who write or deliberately spread malware can expect to be fined or receive up to three years in prison, under laws enacted by the Japanese parliament today.

Up until now, you could only expect to feel your collar felt by the computer crime authorities in Japan if the malware you had created had caused some damage, now just the act of writing it would seem to be enough.

Under the new law, police will also be able to seize the email communications of suspects from ISPs, raising concerns amongst the country's privacy campaigners who have warned of the police getting excessive powers.

According to news reports individuals who create and supply computer viruses "without any reasonable excuse" can face up to three years in jail, or a fines of up to ¥500,000 (approximately US $6,000).

Acquisition and storage of viruses is punishable by a prison sentence of up to two years, or ¥300,000 in fines.

More details - link

 

[Vextor]

First thing, this is bad news for AV Testers in Japan. Now it is illegal for them to actually do that, which is a real blow. Secondly, it is a great operation by the Japanese Government, as it will help remove virus threats in Japan, which is a big supplier.

 

[moonshine]

This is what the Cyber World needs.

 

[jamescv7]

This is a must action of the japanese government to trace those suspects that making the malware.

 

[Deleted member 178]

then employ them for the next 1st cyber-war ^^

 

[HeffeD]

I think it's a good start, but as bbbbweb stated:

First thing, this is bad news for AV Testers in Japan. Now it is illegal for them to actually do that, which is a real blow.

I'm not thinking so much of AV testers, but what of legitimate AV software developers? Their software is now going to suck pretty bad because they won't be able to collect malware to build a signature database. Or for that matter, just test their product...

Hopefully the Japanese government realizes there is more to fighting malware than just making it illegal and puts in some clauses that Japanese developers in the business of actually protecting users machines have a legitimate reason to collect malware.