British Police Hack Into Government Computers (?)

[Impotence]

"The British Police have hacked into Government computers as part of the on-going 'cash for peerages' investigation. They've uncovered evidence which has, so far, led to one arrest and charge of perverting the course of justice for a leading Labour party figure. This charge carries a potential life sentence. The British police have the power to hack into computer systems as part of an investigation. On previous occasions they have said they did not believe the government was providing them with the information they had been asking for and had warned that they would seek other methods to gather evidence. The police won't say what tools they have used. From the article: 'The investigators did not have to notify No 10 if they were "hacking" into its system. One legal expert said: "In some cases, a senior officer can give permission. In other cases, you might need the authorization of an independent commissioner, who is usually a retired judge appointed by the Home Office."'"

Source: Slashdot.org
Article: Telegraph | News | Honours probe police hacked No10 computers

[OT]
There is alot of confusion over this articke atm on slashdot, no one seems to be sure if the police did actually hack into any computers or if it was just the journelist not knowing what there talking about!

If true, I'm very surprised... as i would have thought the Computer Misuse Act would have applied to the police! I actually have a copy of it up on my wall! :P (beats music posters easily, and the duck tape holding it together just adds to the effect [18 pages])
[/OT]

 

[Addis]

I was reading this before, the Inquirer also had it. But I'm sure if the PM had been arrested BBC news would have it as a headline by now. Very suspicious methinks.

 

[zeus]

If true, I'm very surprised... as i would have thought the Computer Misuse Act would have applied to the police!

This is what I first thought.
Im sure Downing Street could rig it in a court and make it so the police have broken a law and making the charges lack evidence... or maybe even the arrests in the first place. Besides, if the police can hack into Downing Street im sure there are plenty of others in the world who could as well. Thats not good!

 

[Impotence]

@Addis: BBC NEWS | Politics | Blair questioned in honours probe

The computer Misuse Act of 1990

I'm also going to call this article journalistic bs, i haven't seen anything which confirms that any exploits where used, or even that anything was done remotely... all I've seen is the word "hacked" in a newspaper article, and any newspaper article about anything to do with 'hackers' is normally full of bs just trying to make an interesting article.

I'm guessing that "hacked" means recovering M$ Windows passwords and reading any encrypted files (I believe Windows XP encrypts documents with the users password if asked... hence why you can loose documents if you just remove the password, don't quote me on that!)

 

[Addis]

I think the police do have the power to break into computer systems if they require forced access for an investigation. Not sure on this, but I've heard of this happening before. Not with the PM though.