Legislation regulating E-Commerce

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Data Protection Act 1998

This is the act that deals with the customer details that can be collected or stored on paper and electronically. In e-commerce when the user enters all the personal details such as name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and etc. According to this data protection act, the customer has a right to avoid from sending his/her details to a third party.  

Computer Misuse Act 1990

This act is a law that works against illegal activities such as: hacking, misuse software’s or helping person to get access to someone else’s computer. This act prosecutes hacking or attacking a computer with viruses. According to computer misuse act there are three new offences such as:

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  • unauthorised access to computer programs or data
  • unauthorised access with the intent to commit further offences
  • unauthorised modification of computer material

In an e-commerce website, Computer misuse act can be used to prevent the website getting hacked by hackers. For example when a user gets registered with an e-commerce website such as Amazon where you have to put all the details including the card details. So if someone hacks into the amazons account, he/she can order products and it will add to the customer’s account. This can lead to unauthorised crimes.

Consumer Credit Act 1974

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Here's what a star student thought of this essay

The report states the term 'hacking', however this isn't explained. All technical terms will need to be explained to allow the examiner to understand the student, as the examiner may not have an in-depth IT knowledge.

The report uses a case study of Amazon.com, this is quite good. As this links the background understanding of the student to a commercial environment. However the report doesn't mention why a person would want access to these details (credit card details). The report could include something on the lines of 'People may want to access a person's Amazon account to gain access to their billing details, which could be used to purchase high value goods with using the consumer's funds'. The section 'Trading Standards' gives a very brief understanding of these laws. The report could mention how fake products could be harmful. For example, the report could include something on the lines of 'If a consumer purchases tobacco on-line and this is a fake product, this could contain unusually unsafe levels of some chemicals and could cause signification damage to the consumer. It's essential that this law is re-enforced on-line, and not left on the back burner.'.

In summary, the report is quite basic. The report does state a number of regulations which websites have to comply with. However their understanding is lacking, and more detailed is required. The report states how The Data Protection Act is applied to websites on-line, however there are eight main principles of this regulation. The report could state these eight different principles and explain a little of each one, of how websites would need to comply with this set of regulation. The description of the 'Consumer Credit Act 1974' is quite limited. This section will need to be expanded and developed further. Additional background research would have to be undertaken by the student to achieve high marks.