Legislative frameworks: The United Kingdom

Abstract

This chapter discusses the cybercrime legislative framework within the United Kingdom, including computer misuse, cyber-harassment, offensive online communications, online sexual grooming, and online fraud. Following a discussion of the scale of cybercrime in the UK, this chapter provides an analysis of criminal offences which are designed to combat cybercrime or are capable of combatting cybercrime. The prevalence of broad statutory language as means of ensuring maximum flexibility in a fast changing technological landscape is highlighted as a notable feature of the UK legislative framework.