Public policy

Public policy is critical to shaping the Internet's future. While information and communications technology has created previously unimagined opportunities for millions of people worldwide, it has also provided new tools for criminals. Governments, law enforcement officials, and members of the technology industry share responsibility for helping to curb the technology abuses that enable crimes against consumers and their families. Numerous legislative bodies around the world have adopted cyber-crime laws to address the worldwide proliferation of spam, phishing, online predators, malicious code, and spyware attacks.

Because cyber-crime crosses jurisdictional boundaries, it is recommended that legislation be enacted that prohibits the distribution of deceptive e-mail or spyware, protects individual privacy, empowers consumers, and preserves the health and vitality of legitimate e-commerce. To be effective, these laws need to follow consistent worldwide standards; contain proportionate and deterrent penalties, including statutory damages and recovery of profits; and foster cooperation among enforcement agencies.

Legislation, policies, and practices that promote and foster cooperation among local, regional, and global law enforcement agencies to drive the arrest and conviction of those who commit crimes against children are encouraged. The impact of sexual exploitation and other threats on children lasts a lifetime. Laws that clearly define the penalties for crimes against children need to be enacted, if not already, implemented, and enforced with penalties that are tough enough to address the severity of these crimes.

With the Internet becoming more a part of everyday lives, the timing is right for governments to implement a legislative approach that provides meaningful protection for individuals-an approach that focuses on preventing harm and that sets clear guidelines for businesses while still allowing commerce to flourish. It is the comprehensive approach to addressing the issues of computing security and Internet safety-the approach that employs a combination of legislation, enforcement, education and guidance, behavioral change, and technology innovation with a variety of organizations working together-that will best serve to help protect the public's computing and Internet experience.