In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the executive branch has been pushing for new law enforcement powers to combat terrorism. The latest: the sweeping "Anti-Terrorist Act" expands the definition of terrorism to include assassination, violence at international airports, bombings, and hacking. The Act would allow hackers to be prosecuted for computer crimes even decades old, with a maximum penalty of life inprisonment without the possibility of parole.

It's a truly frightening prospect. Given the government's history of demonizing hackers, (Kevin Mitnick) prosecuting security professionals (Max Vison, Scott Moulton, and others) and general fear of the unknown, if the Act passed as written, we could end up with prisons full of suburban adolescent white males and security types. Classifying computer crimes as terrorist acts is an insult to the victims of real terrorism.

Securityfocus' Scott Poulson has written a commentary on the proposed law, and there's also an article at newsfactor. Bruce Schnier's comments on the attack, while not directly related, offer a reasoned analysis of other threats to civil liberties.