{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990.json",
  "id": "ukpga/1990/18",
  "title": "Computer Misuse Act 1990",
  "long_title": "An Act to make provision for securing computer material against unauthorised access or modification; and for connected purposes.",
  "citation": "1990 c. 18",
  "type": "ukpga",
  "year": "1990",
  "number": "18",
  "version": "current",
  "date": "1990-06-29",
  "revised": true,
  "valid_from": "2023-02-07",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "unapplied_effects": 2,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Computer misuse offences",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/1",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "1",
      "heading": "Unauthorised access to computer material.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-1",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/2",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "2",
      "heading": "Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-2",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3",
      "heading": "Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of computer, etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-3",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3ZA",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3ZA",
      "heading": "Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-3ZA",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/3A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "3A",
      "heading": "Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in offence under section 1, 3 or 3ZA",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-3A",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/computer-misuse-offences"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/jurisdiction",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Jurisdiction",
      "url": null,
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/4",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "4",
      "heading": "Territorial scope of offences under this Act.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-4",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/5",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "5",
      "heading": "Significant links with domestic jurisdiction.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-5",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/6",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "6",
      "heading": "Territorial scope of inchoate offences related to offences under this Act.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-6",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/7",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "7",
      "heading": "Territorial scope of inchoate offences related to offences under external law corresponding to offences under sections 1 to 3.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-7",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/8",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "8",
      "heading": "Relevance of external law.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-8",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/9",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "9",
      "heading": "British citizenship immaterial.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-9",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/jurisdiction"
    },
    {
      "path": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general",
      "kind": "crossheading",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Miscellaneous and general",
      "url": null,
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/10",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "10",
      "heading": "Savings",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-10",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/11",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "11",
      "heading": "Proceedings for offences under section 1.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-11",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/12",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "12",
      "heading": "Conviction of an offence under section 1 in proceedings for an offence under section 2 or 3.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-12",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/13",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "13",
      "heading": "Proceedings in Scotland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-13",
      "extent": "S",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/14",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "14",
      "heading": "Search warrants for offences under section 1.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-14",
      "extent": "E+W+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/15",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "15",
      "heading": "Extradition where Schedule 1 to the Extradition Act 1989 applies.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-15",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": "repealed",
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16",
      "heading": "Application to Northern Ireland.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-16",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/16A",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "16A",
      "heading": "Northern Ireland: search warrants for offences under section 1",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-16A",
      "extent": "N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/17",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "17",
      "heading": "Interpretation.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-17",
      "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    },
    {
      "path": "section/18",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "18",
      "heading": "Citation, commencement etc.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/computer-misuse-act-1990/section-18",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": "crossheading/miscellaneous-and-general"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "words substituted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 2(2)(b)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2000/43",
      "affecting_title": "Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 7 para. 98"
    },
    {
      "type": "words inserted",
      "affected_provisions": "s. 14(1)",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2003/39",
      "affecting_title": "Courts Act 2003",
      "affecting_provisions": "Sch. 4 para. 7"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/18",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:43:12.268573+00:00",
    "licence": "OGL-UK-3.0",
    "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
    "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
  }
}