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A Guide to the Legal Aspects of Technology

What is Technology?

With regard to technology – both in its respective development, advancement, and usage – the opportunities presented as a result can initiate a wide array of opportunities and efforts. Technology can be implemented for a variety of means, ranging from commercial advancement to accelerated communication on both domestic and global levels.

However, within any new advancement and discovery, the risk of corollary criminal activity may also be present; as a result, the regulation of Technology is considered to be an necessity with regard to the establishment of legal, lawful, and ethical protocol with regard to those utilizing the Technology in question – furthermore, legislation involving specific Technology is considered to be an instrument of legal protection with regards to the rights belonging to citizens of that nation.

Technology and Cyber Law

Cyber Law or Computer Law - is considered by many to be one of the most recently-developed legal fields as a result of the ongoing advent of Technology; Computer-based technology heavily relies on the Internet and online activity. 

As a result, regulations and oversight of this type of activity has been expressed in the realm of Cyber Law – this legal field tends to be fairly expansive, consisting of a variety of avenues and jurisdictions, including the ethical and moral use of Technology for lawful and legal purposes. However, Computer and Technology-based crimes have been identified and classified within the realm of Cyber Law can be found below:

Data Theft: The illegal possession of information, data, or records belonging to another individual or entity through the use of a computer

Solicitation of a Minor: The attempt to engage a minor – or child – in the participation in sexual activity; this can range from physical sex crimes to virtual sex crimes

Online Sex Crimes: Online Sex Crimes are defined as the participation or engagement in sexually-predatory – or sexually-exploitative behavior through the facilitation of various means of technology, which may include the ownership, transmission, or receipt of illicit and illegal pornography

Computer Fraud: The unlawful disbursement of unsecured and fraudulent programs or documentation with the intent defraud; this can include Spamming, Phishing, and Spyware

Illegal File Transfer(s): The use of Bit Torrent technology, Peer-to-Peer network file sharing, and any other means of the unlawful, unauthorized transmission of digital, copyrighted media and intellectual property

What is Information Technology (IT)?
Information technology is defined as the management structure and utilization of technological, electronic, informational, and computational means in order to perform business and commercial operations; in addition, information technology includes the organization, communication, and function of business operations - the following are some components of information technology utilized to enhance internet business:

Information technology can be used for the development and management of online organization and storage systems housing electronic data and records that are maintained by an internet business

Information technology can be used for the inspection updating, and maintenance of online commercial software used by an internet business
Information technology can be used for the monitoring, moderating, and upkeep of a secured computer network, which reduces the risk for computer malfunctions, loss of information, and security breaches and compromises in networks utilized by internet business

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