Japan is always one step ahead. There, was approved on Friday a law criminalizing the development of virus in the archipelago. People who are caught producing or buying e-threats should be fined and even spend some time watching the rising sun rising square.
The reform of the penal code was provided in a while, but this kind of discussion there is also slow. In the end, parliament decided to pass the bill to expedite the conclusion of the Convention on Cybercrime, which provides for international cooperation for crimes committed using the Internet.
Create and distribute a computer virus up to 3 years imprisonment or fine of nearly U.S. $ 10 000.
Buy computer virus or store up to 2 years imprisonment or fine of almost $ 6,000.
Interestingly, the law speaks of "computer virus". It is unsure how the judiciary will interpret the cause when a defendant has created the virus to a mobile platform such as Google's Android or Nokia's Symbian. There is a clear trend of increase in viruses intended to tablets, smartphones and mobile phones.
Also interestingly, the law allows the creation of viruses, since it is a "reasonable grounds". I imagine that the electronic security researchers may become more quiet, for this conditional paves the way for them to continue working in this vital industry.
At least one of the topics of the new law applauded by our Senator Eduardo Azeredo, famous for trying to force providers to register the charge of online activity. In Japan, the authorities may ask providers to store records of Internet communication for 60 days. Among the records, senders and receivers of email.
