Police raids

[John R T Brazier]

On Fri, 28 Feb 2003, David_Biggins@usermgmt.com wrote:
>> If the police seize the computers and data of a small business for
more than a very few days, that business is dead.
>> 
>> The law needs to be amended so that they may copy all material 
>> onsite, and
>> MUST leave the defendant with original data or copies as necessary to
>> maintain their business viability, and computers as necessary to use
that
>> data.

Ian G Batten returned
> A not uncommon discussion where IT Directors and Systems
Administrators
> gather is the moral position one is in if calling the police over
> evidence of a crime you find on your business's computers puts a
> thousand people out of work.  I asked some NCIS guy this at an SFS
> conference a few years ago and got a vague answer.  I can't say it
fills
> my heart with joy, or with public spirit.


Given the fact that one is not obliged to volunteer to the police, the
moral position is clear: 1000 jobs vs 0 jobs and a vague putative future
that may include a trial. 

1000 jobs, and lives, wins every time.

Cheers

JB

PS Perhaps our lawgivers would care to ponder on this equation!

JB