Police (Penetration of Computer Material) Bill

What does the bill do?

The proposal establishes the power of a district court to issue an order for covert intrusion into computer material using spyware, if the court is convinced that such a search is needed to uncover or investigate a serious offense (an offense punishable by more than 10 years' imprisonment) and provided that the search would be thwarted if conducted openly. The court will weigh considerations concerning the purpose of the search, the severity of the offense, the location and type of the material, the danger of deletion of information, and the harm to privacy. The proposal also amends the Wiretap Law to limit the use of information obtained from intrusion into computers, and sets a penalty of three years' imprisonment for breach of confidentiality.