Legislation of the internet

What legislation covers the internet

multiple different legislations and laws cover the internet. these are for different purposes, to achieve different things, and create a safe environment on the internet overall a safe environment. A law that covers the interenet is the Data protection act 1998. "The Data Protection Act 1998 covers personal data that finds itself on the Internet, and any web site that collects personal information will need to comply with the Act." personal information may include email addresses credit card details, telephone numbers, even addresses  this act protects information from being used in a way that has not been agreed by the person themselves when giving this information to a website. as such under the data protection act 1998 websites are obliged to:

•  state what they do with the data (and stick to it)
•  register with the Information Commissioner, a government official that Related Documents
•  not export the data outside the EC without the subject's permission
•  keep the data secure, reveal it and delete it if requested by the subjects.

copyright laws also cover the internet. the effect the content of the website in the same way that they effect content of other media, such as magazine, tv shows, films and music. copyright and piracy online is still a source of much debate, with new acts like SOPA (stop online piracy act) and PIPA (protect ip act) trying to push more restrictive bounds on sharing content on the internet, in order to reduce the amount of piracy and copyright infringement online.

the UK eCommerce regulations are in effect to regulate and monitor the buying and selling of goods within the UK. websites who trade products within the uk should:

•  display the name of their business
• display their company registration number or proprietor's name 
• show their geographic address (street number etc)
• show thier contact information such as phone number and email address
• show their VAT number
• Refer to trade or professional recognition schemes, with registration number, if applicable
• Provide clear information on price, tax and delivery.
• Show clear Terms and Conditions and acknowledge order

children are protected from content that is considered innapropiate. the company websense provides filtering software within the uk for this.

"in the UK, Websense is accredited with approved Internet Filtering Product certification by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta). As an approved supplier, Websense is certified to provide schools with Web security and Web filtering solutions in line with national strategies and regulations on safe Internet use in education."

sources:
-http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Internet-law-Essential-Guide
-http://www.clickdocs.co.uk/ecommerce-information.htm
-http://www.websense.com/content/childrens-internet-protection-act.aspx