Computer Misuse Act

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UK law passed in 1990 that makes it illegal to hack into computers (see hacking). The Act introduced three new offences: unauthorized access to computer material (for example out of curiosity), unauthorized access with intent to facilitate the commission of a crime (for example fraud or blackmail), and unauthorized modification of computer material (for example to introduce a virus). The first prosecution under the Act was that of British hacker Paul Bedworth, who in 1993 was acquitted on the grounds that he was addicted to computing.

White, blue, and red became known as the pan-Slavic colours, influencing many other Eastern European flags. White, blue, and red are also the colours of the arms of the Duchy of Moscow. Effective date: 11 December 1993. >>