Communications Act 2003

Citation
U.K. Communications Act 2003 (also extends to Northern Ireland).

Overview
Section 127(1) provides that it is an offence if any person sends a message or other matter by means of a public electronic communications network which is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing, or if a person causes any such message or matter to be sent.

Section 127(2) provides that a person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he sends or causes to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network a message he knows to be false, causes such a message to be sent, or persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.

The offences carry a penalty of a maximum of six months' imprisonment and/or a level five fine (£5000).