The UK government is proposing to review and reform laws to tackle cybersecurity threats and online crime.

The proposed changes to the 1990 Computer misuse Act (CMA) have been set out in a consultation paper for consideration until 6 April 2023, according to UK Finance.

There are three main changes proposed; the first will enable law enforcement agencies to take control of domains and IP addresses that are used by criminals to carry out fraud and computer misuse.

The second revision would increase penalties for taking or copying data; currently under the CMA data copying only incurs a fine and up to two years imprisonment.

The third amendment would give law enforcement agencies power to require data owners or individuals in control of data to preserve that data in an unaltered state so that it is available for law enforcement investigations.

Commenting on the news, UK Finance said that while the changes were welcome they would be hard to enforce worldwide, as many cybercrimes in the UK are carried out by individuals or groups outside of the country.

“The UK government will have to rely on cooperation with governments and law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions, and also those jurisdictions having the ability and legislation to prosecute extra territorial criminality,” said the trade association.

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