UK Hackers Face Antisocial Behaviour Orders

ukhackster writes "The UK government has proposed that suspected cybercriminals could be banned from the Internet or have their PCs seized, even if they've not been convicted. These so-called Asbos have typically been used against teenage hoodlums or small-time crooks, but now they're gunning for organised criminals." From the article: "Asbos give the courts almost unlimited powers when imposing conditions on the person receiving the order. Under the Home Office proposals, the courts would have almost unlimited discretion to impose the order if they believe it probable that a suspect had 'acted in a way which facilitated or was likely to facilitate the commissioning of serious crime.' In a civil court, hearsay is admissible evidence, and the burden of proof is lighter than criminal courts."

In other news

[Mikachu]

In other news, the UK government is proposing that acquitted bank robbers be banned from banks.

Re:not in the USA :-)

[MrSquirrel]

Let's move to Antarctica -- if everyone's against that (I know it's cold, but think of the overclocking you could do on stock air cooling!) we could always build a giant barge from old PC's (it would also be a functional beowulf cluser).

Re:WTF?

[dr_dank]

Everyone here is missing the point. Asbos work and they work well, they're not abused yet and have mostly been used on complete assholes.

First, they came for the complete assholes. I did not speak out, for I wasn't a complete asshole.
then, they came for the dickheads. I did not speak out, for I wasn't a dickhead.
then, they came for the dingbats. I did not speak out, for I wasn't a dingbat.
then, they came for the schmucks. Who will speak out for me?

Not a good idea, penguins ain't as fluffy as tux

[SmallFurryCreature]

Everyone knows polar bears live on the poles. Obvious, else they wouldn't be called POLAR bears. Yet there are no polar bears on the south pole. There are penguins on the south pole. Coincedence? I think not. In fact if you check everywhere where penguins live there are no polar bears. The only place were polar bears live is where there are no penguins. Consclusion? Penguins eat polar bears. Even that fluffy tux toy, I got one in my house and no polar bears.

If the meanest biggest land predator can't survive against a penguin change do you stand?

Re:Tough call...

['nother poster]

"What you in for mate?"

"I got 5 years for violating my ASBO"

"Oh, whadya do?"

"The wankers caught me with an abacus"

Re:Power lies in its users hands

[just_another_sean]

even being arrested for a crime (not convicted, and even if your record is expunged) can/will prevent you from sitting as a juror.

Ah, so there's an upside!

Re:Power lies in its users hands

[Anonymous Coward]

Having an FBI file doesn't mean anything nowadays. Probably anyone who has posted on slashdot has one...

That does it. I'm going to get a FOIA request on Anonymous Coward's file. That should be a doozy.