UK Government Considers Computer Misuse Act Revision

Security Minister Dan Jarvis Endorses Security Researcher Protections Akshaya Asokan (asokan_akshaya) • December 4, 2025

The U.K. government is considering amending its three-decade-old hacking law to include a "statutory defense" cover for security researchers, Security Minister Dan Jarvis said. The announcement comes amid concerns that the law penalizes white hat hackers for essential security practices such as participating in bug bounties.

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Speaking at a Financial Times event on Wednesday, Jarvis said the government is looking at a "legal change to the Computer Misuse Act." The regulation, codified in 1990, criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and data, heightening the legal risk for security research.

"These researchers play an important role in increasing the resilience of U.K. systems, and securing them ...