Part of a series of short books which deal with topical issues in public policy in an accessible way, this volume examines the legal impact of the information technology revolution. The massive data banks operated by public and private sector organizations have implications for both individuals and society as a whole. In the area of criminal law, the computer hacker has attained a place in popular demonology, whilst the fear of computer viruses and the problems of software piracy have attracted widespread publicity. The increasing use of and reliance upon computers in safety-critical applications also prompts consideration of the legal consequences which may follow any failure. In addition to examining the efficacy of present and proposed legal responses, this book considers the social, technical and cultural fators which influence various forms of computer-related behaviour.
