EU ministers seek to ban creation of 'hacking tools'

Result: easier for criminals, harder for everyone else...

 

Not to mention if someone is the type to create and use such tools they won't care that it is against the law anyway.

 

Wow, how do they expect security testing, gathering data on your enemies, taking down botnets, etc?

 

Good point. Seems like that could be a hurdle for security companies.

 

Won't they care IF they are arrested for Creating/Using these Tools?

 

In Germany, the same kind of law has already been implemented years ago.
The scope of legal wording/terminology used to outlaw 'hacking tools' has (intentionally) been so broad that several German devs/dev groups have left the country. (link, link).

Quoted from the linked phenoelit page;
"Additionally, this new section is interwoven with other laws, including the ones covering terrorism. The current interpretation includes the acceptance of others committing a crime using your (or our) material as violation of §202c."

If all of Europe will go this route, these laws are likely to force a mandatory brain-drain.
A lot of these devs would/could be very valuable staff for European businesses. However, it's not unlikely a part of them will either go to another continent or go dark. Either way, a loss for €urope.

 

Lot's of "hacking" tools can be used by good people to gather intelligence and improve security, not just for break-ins and penetrations by the evil folk. Tools like Ettercap and Aircrack-ng have helped to improve the understanding of what is vulnerable even though they can be used for evil purposes.
This is equivalent to the Gun Control Act in the U.S. :sigh:

 

What?! How are hacking tools related to guns? Also the Gun Control Act is a restriction not outright ban.

 

LOL. Well, I wish them luck with that. Maybe they can also ban burglaries while they're at it.

 

More like banning burglary simulations along with it. To test alarms and so on.

- "But it's just a simulation officer. See, i actually work here and this is part of my job. That's my boss over there watching the whole thing."
- "You're going down for breaking the law scumbag."

 

Bank robbers and murderers don't seem to be thwarted by it being illegal.