Update: Tougher laws for hackers

Under proposals outlined in its green paper, "New Powers Against Organised and Financial Crime", law enforcement agencies and the courts could hand out Serious Crime Prevention Orders to spammers and hackers when police lack enough evidence of wrongdoing. It is hoped that these orders will be given in civil rather than criminal courts, where the standard of proof is lower. Suspected hackers given the special order might have to give police employment details, have their credit cards stopped or be prevented from sending out spam.