Campaign responds to withdrawal of amendment to update Computer Misuse Act
On Tuesday 28th January, CyberUp supporter Lord Holmes of Richmond spoke passionately on his amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which would have updated the Computer Misuse Act to include a statutory defence for cyber security professionals conducting legitimate cyber defensive activities.
In the Government’s response to the amendments, introduced at the House of Lords report stage of the Bill, Lord Holmes was asked by Lord Vallance to withdraw his amendments, which he agreed to do.
Andrew Jones, Strategy Director at the Cyberscheme and supporter of the Campaign, commented in response:
“While we appreciate the Government’s efforts to ensure it handles updating the Computer Misuse Act correctly, we are somewhat disappointed that another opportunity to protect our cybersecurity professionals and strengthen the UK’s defences has been missed.
The Computer Misuse Act is a relic of the 20th century, inadvertently criminalising critical research conducted by UK cybersecurity professionals to support national cyber defence operations, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and critical national infrastructure operators. This leaves the UK increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated and disruptive cyber threats. As the US and EU move to safeguard ethical cybersecurity work as a cornerstone of national resilience, the UK cannot afford to lag behind.
Urgent action is needed. The statutory defence proposed—drafted in consultation with industry and legal experts—offers a practical, proportionate and robust solution that would protect legitimate cybersecurity professionals, support HMG intent on a responsible future for AI, strengthen UK cyber defences and reinforce its place as a cybersecurity leader. We remain fully prepared to work with the Government to help implement this necessary change in the future, as soon as it is ready to act.”
We are very grateful to Lord Holmes and the several Lords who spoke in support of the amendment, including Lord Arbuthnot, Lord Clement-Jones, Viscount Camrose and the Earl of Erroll.