Indian Information Technology Act (IT Act)

As the Internet grew, so did reports of cyber crimes, frauds, cyber attacks and cyber bullying — and the nature of these fraudulent activities keeps changing. To deal with such menaces, many countries have adopted legal measures to protect sensitive personal data and safeguard the rights of Internet users. India's answer is the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008)

The Government of India's Information Technology Act, 2000 — commonly the IT Act — was amended in 2008. It provides guidelines to the user on the processing, storage and transmission of sensitive information.

Where to report: cyber cells

In many Indian states, police stations house cyber cells, where anyone can report a cyber crime. This is the practical, on-the-ground interface between a victim and the law.

What the Act provides

• Legal framework for electronic governance: the Act gives formal recognition to electronic records and digital signatures, so digital documents and digitally signed transactions carry legal weight.
• Defines cyber crimes and penalties: the Act outlines what constitutes a cyber crime and prescribes penalties for each.
• Cyber Appellate Tribunal: a tribunal established to resolve disputes arising from cyber crime, such as:
  • tampering with computer source documents,
  • hacking a computer system,
  • using another person's password, and
  • publishing sensitive personal data of others without their consent.

Why the Act is needed

• It lets people transact over the Internet — for example with credit cards — without fear of misuse, because the law backs them if something goes wrong.
• It also empowers government departments to accept the filing, creation and storage of official documents in digital format, making e-governance legally sound.

Digital signatures

The book explains the digital signature — the digital equivalent of a paper certificate: …