The UK is considering banning payments of cyberattack ransoms to organizations related to critical infrastructure such as energy, healthcare, and local governments. The bill was proposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as part of the fight against cybercrime.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the ban is aimed at depriving cybercriminals of their main source of income. Many hackers demand a ransom in cryptocurrency.

The initiative also proposes to create a mandatory reporting system for cyberattack incidents so that law enforcement agencies can identify and prevent threats faster. Consultations on this issue will last until April 2025.

These measures were in response to a series of attacks, such as the attack on the Royal Postal Service in 2023, which paralyzed international shipping, and the data leak in the healthcare system in 2024.