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What is Sen. Patrick Leahy trying to do with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act?

Answer: broaden it

After news of a data breach affecting Target, Sen. Patrick Leahy is proposing that the “anti-hacking” law (CFAA) be broadened in such a way that unsuccessful hacking attempts and conspiracies to hack would be punishable by law with the same punishments as successful hacking attempts.

The CFAA has been at the center of a number of relatively high-profile cases, such as the case against Internet activist Aaron Swartz. Critics of Leahy, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation, say that the CFAA is already too broad, and broadening the law further would allow the government to punish individuals for acts well outside the intended scope of the law.

Colin wrote for Government Technology and Emergency Management from 2010 through most of 2016.