Jamaica Cabinet approves cyber crime law amendment

Minister with Responsibility for Information and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, said the bill was drafted in response to crimes that have been largely attributed to the use of computer technology and the electronic environment of the Internet.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, September 11, 2009 – Jamaica’s Cabinet has given the nod to amendments to cyber crimes legislation that will allow the courts to punish people who use electronic data to commit criminal acts.

Minister with Responsibility for Information and Telecommunications, Daryl Vaz, said the bill was drafted in response to crimes that have been largely attributed to the use of computer technology and the electronic environment of the Internet.

"The legislation provides for legal sanctions for the criminal misuse of data and other computer-related crimes such as unauthorised access in general; unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate the commission of an offence; and interception, modification and interference with the integrity of the computer systems and data," he explained.

The bill also seeks to address computer system sabotage and will make it an offence to make devices or data available for the commission of an offence under any law in Jamaica. The legislation is to be brought to the Houses of Parliament at the earliest date possible.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved amendments to the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act to facilitate the introduction of sports betting.