Skip to Content

Digital Crime ‘the new front line’.

The Law Commission has called for a full review of the law dealing with digital crime.


Digital crime, once a fringe concern, has now emerged as a significant threat to public safety and democratic integrity. The Law Commission has urged a comprehensive review of legislation governing online abuse, harassment, and harmful communications. With the Prime Minister's stark warning that digital crime now jeopardises our democratic processes, the need for immediate reform is unmistakable.



Legal Gaps in Online Abuse


Current laws—such as the Communications Act 2003—struggle to address the scale and complexity of online harm. Authorities are forced to interpret vague terms like “indecency” or “grossly offensive”, leaving victims without clear protection. The digital world has outpaced the legal framework meant to regulate it.



Social Media and Accountability


Social media platforms have become arenas for both empowerment and abuse. While they offer unprecedented reach, they also enable anonymous harassment on a large scale. A recent example involved Diane Abbott MP, who received half of all abusive tweets directed at female MPs during the general election campaign.



The Law Commission reports that online abuse contributes to:



  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Shame

  • Isolation


Yet platforms often shield abusers rather than victims, citing foreign jurisdiction and technical limitations.



The Psychological Toll


Cases of “pile-on” harassment—where one insult triggers hundreds more—highlight the unique psychological damage of online abuse. Unlike isolated comments, coordinated attacks amplify distress and leave lasting emotional scars.



Jurisdictional Challenges


Many platforms operate under U.S. law, making it difficult for UK authorities to obtain user data or enforce domestic protections. This slow, costly, and often ineffective process underscores the urgent need for platforms to comply with UK law or face restricted access.



The Need for Reform


It's imperative that online abuse be treated with the same gravity as offline abuse. The current legal landscape mirrors the under-policing and under-recognition of domestic violence in the 1970s and ’80s. Without reform, digital crime will continue to escalate unchecked, underscoring the urgent need for change.



Conclusion


The digital world is the new frontier—but without a sheriff. Lawmakers, regulators, and platforms must act decisively to protect users and restore accountability. If reforms fall short or arrive too late, we risk codifying outdated protections in a rapidly evolving landscape.


Digital Crime ‘the new front line’.
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

Children and the Law - Smacking

Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..

The sex offender register

The sex offender register - Guide..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Points on your Driving License

Points on your Driving License - What happens when you receive points on your Driving Licence, How long do they stay, how many points until you are banned from..

Totting up points on your driving Licence

Totting up points on your driving Licence.
When a driver accumulates twelve points or more in a three-year period on their driving license they are normally s..

Motoring Offences | Drink Driving.

Motoring Offences - Drink Driving.
If you have been stopped for drink driving it is important that you obtain legal advice as soon as possible and, to assist y..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

law on legal highs to be reviewed

The law banning legal highs in the UK is to undergo an urgent review...

The law on Cannabis.

Anyone found in possession of cannabis could be liable to a fine or a prison sentence, cannabis is classed as a B category drug in the UK and is illegal...

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year, what are they and do they work?..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top