Legislation relevant to computing

• Many pieces of legislation govern the use of computer systems. Relevant examples of legislation include: 


  • The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) 1990
  • The Freedom of Information Act 2000
• The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) 1990


  When the use of computer systems became widespread, the Computer Misuse Act (CMA) 1990 was put in place to help combat issues arising from their misuse.

  The Act makes it an offence to:

  • access data without permission, e.g. looking at someone else's files
  • access computer systems without permission, e.g. hacking
• The Freedom of Information Act 2000


  The main principle behind freedom of information legislation is that people have a right to know about the activities of public authorities, unless there is a good reason for them not to have this information.
• The individual’s rights

  1. The right to be informed
  2. The right of access
  3. The right to correction
  4. The right to erasure
  5. The right to restrict processing
  6. The right to data portability
  7. The right to object
  8. Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling
• Exemptions

  • national security
  • defence
  • public security