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Heavy penalties to be introduced for computer crimes(Turkish Daily News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Turkey will for the first time be regulating information crimes outside the scope of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) with a bill on information crimes under consideration that imposes harsh penalties for cyber-criminals and doubles sentences for online threats, blackmail, insult and slander already addressed under the TCK. Child pornography crimes will be punishable with jail sentences of up to 12 years. The Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill titled "Regulation of Information Network Services and Information Crimes" to address the legal shortcomings in the area of cyber crime. The ministry consulted with more than a hundred relevant agencies and organizations and hopes to pass the bill in Parliament as soon as possible. Two to five years for hackers: The bill imposes two to five years in prison for individuals involved in illegal interception, data interference (the unauthorized damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of computer data) and systems interference. Unauthorized access to a computer system will be punishable with jail terms from six months to two years or with monetary fines. Punishment for data monitoring: Individuals who illegally monitor data on a network will face one to three years' imprisonment, while those who trace data on a network without accessing that network will face sentences of three to five years. The investigation of these crimes will be possible upon the complaint of the victims. Freedom of access to information: Freedom of expression and access to information are the fundamental principles of the bill. These liberties can only be limited in cases stipulated by law. All activity regarding information network services will be free. Starting, executing and ending online services will not be subject to authorization, declaration or allowance. One to three years for forgery: Persons involved in unauthorized damaging, deletion, deterioration, alteration or suppression of a legal document online, forgery and electronic fraud will face sentences of up to three years and a fine. Criminal defamation and insult sentences doubled: If crimes involving threats, blackmail, defamation or insult are committed online, the regular sentences imposed under the TCK will be doubled. Recording personal data and obtaining or distributing such data will be punishable according to provisions stated in the TCK but sentences will be doubled. Two years for running a gambling site: The bill also imposes jail sentences of from six months to two years for individuals providing gambling services on information networks. Twelve years for child pornography: Generating real or manipulated pornographic images, audio data or written documents pertaining to a child will be punishable with sentences from eight to 12 years. Parties who acquire such products for their own use or for other purposes will face jail sentences up to a year as well as a fine. Legal information technology experts: Only individuals certified as legal information technology experts will be allowed to serve as experts in court cases concerning computer crime. Copyright 2006 Turkish Daily News. Source: Financial Times Information Limited - Middle East Intelligence Wire. |