Law and Order in Cyberspace: A Case Study of Cyberspace Governance in Hong Kong

Law and Order in Cyberspace: A Case Study of Cyberspace Governance in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been enjoying the benefits brought by the Information Age that has totally changed our private life and business operations. Computer mediated communication has brought people closer in a virtual world surpassing geographical distance, time zone difference, social inhibitions, or cultural barriers. With a high usage and penetration of information technology at households and offices, Hong Kong's economy is increasingly and irreversibly relying on the Internet to operate. At the same time, computers, particularly the Internet, facilitate traditional criminality and bring new crimes of different types. To safeguard the environment for economic restructuring and e-commerce development, the Hong Kong government has made attempts to control computer crime and maintain order in cyberspace. This research project is an attempt to study cyberspace governance and computer crime control in Hong Kong. The report begins with an investigation into the usage of personal computers and penetration of the Internet in the community. It is then followed by an exploration of the nature, prevalence and distribution of computer crime. The article finishes with a comprehensive description and thorough analysis of the approaches adopted by the government in controlling computer crime. Various recommendations in improving cyberspace governance are proposed to foster law and order in cyberspace.