The Concept of «Crimein the Field of Computer Information»

Abstract

The paper is concerned with correct regulation of public relations which are directly connected with legally, socially and linguistically verified conceptual apparatus. The latter helps to reveal legal relations. Crimes in the field of the so-called «computer information» are relatively new acts, and therefore, their classification to the present day has been rather controversial. The comparative and legal research methods, methods of analysis and synthesis have been used to unveil some crucial definitions to classify criminal offences where computer device or electronic information is used either as a tool or a target. Thus, the main objective of the research done is a comprehensive study of the theoretical foundations of crimes in the field of computer information as well as different views on the following notions: «information», «digital information», «computer crimes», «information security», etc. The article contains the history of crimes in the realm of computer information, their features and signs, the formation of a conceptual apparatus. The works of the prominent think-tanks of criminal, administrative, information law, such as Yu.M. Baturin, V.B. Vekhov, N.A. Selivanov, V.A. Kopylov, V.V. Krylov and some devoted to the basic concepts with regard to the classification of E-crimes or, in IT terms, offences in the field electronic media have been studied. The paper describes the debates associated with the application of the term «computer crime» as: independent one having a special subject and object; separate one but within the branch of criminal law; incorrect due to its narrow semantic content. Proponents of such a point of view suggest it should be expanded and treated as «information crimes». The authors offer the definition of a crime in the field of computer information elaborated as a result of their research efforts. In their view, it means unlawful criminally-committed and publicly dangerous act, criminally prosecuted and punished, encroaching public relations to safely produce, store, transfer, search, use, diffuse and protect computer information which damages or threatens the legal rights or interests of individuals and (or) legal entities, society, state.