Electronic Communications Act (Northern Ireland) 2001

Interpretation

4.—(1) In this Act—

“document” includes a map, plan, design, drawing, picture or other image;

“communication” includes a communication comprising sounds or images or both and a communication effecting a payment;

“electronic communication” means a communication transmitted (whether from one person to another, from one device to another or from a person to a device or vice versa)—

(a)

by means of a telecommunication system (within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1984 (c. 12)); or

(b)

by other means but while in an electronic form;

“modification” includes any alteration, addition or omission;

“record” includes an electronic record; and

“statutory provision” has the meaning assigned by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33).

(2) In this Act—

(a) references to the authenticity of any communication or data are references to any one or more of the following—

(i) whether the communication or data comes from a particular person or other source;

(ii) whether it is accurately timed and dated;

(iii) whether it is intended to have legal effect;

(b) references to the integrity of any communication or data are references to whether there has been any tampering with or other modification of the communication or data; and

(c) references to a statutory provision—

(i) include references to a statutory provision passed or made after the coming into operation of this Act; but

(ii) do not include references to this Act.

(3) References in this Act to something’s being put into an intelligible form include references to its being restored to the condition in which it was before any encryption or similar process was applied to it.