Computer-Related Crime
The European Commission presented its plan on January 30, 2001 to combat cybercrime which is one of the objectives of the eEurope 2002 Action Plan. This 2002 Action Plan includes actions to enhance network security and the establishment of a co-ordinated and coherent approach to cybercrime by the end of 2002. It is expected that the number of illegal activities will grow as computer and network use increases. Given the differences between various national laws (e.g. hacking, trade secret protection and illegal content) and the borderless nature of cyberspace, co-ordination and harmonization of legislation is necessary in order to effectively combat computer-related crime. In this respect, we also refer to the Belgian general law on computer criminality as mentioned in the previous edition of the ICT Flash which in the meantime has been published in the Belgian State Gazette of February 3, 2001.
