Important Sections of IT Act 2002 for Competitive Exams

Dr. Toran Lal Verma

The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, also known as the IT Act, is a comprehensive law in India that governs e-commerce, electronic communication, cybersecurity, and data protection. It provides the legal framework for electronic governance by giving recognition to electronic records and digital signatures. Here are some important sections of the IT Act that are commonly referenced and may be asked about in competitive exams:

Important Sections of the IT Act, 2000:

  1. Section 2: Definitions
    • Provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, such as “computer”, “computer network”, “data”, “information”, etc.
  2. Section 4: Legal Recognition of Electronic Records
    • States that any information or document which is required by law to be in writing or in printed form can be made available in electronic form.
  3. Section 6: Use of Electronic Records and Digital Signatures in Government and Its Agencies
    • Allows government offices and agencies to use electronic records and digital signatures.
  4. Section 10A: Validity of Contracts Formed Through Electronic Means
    • Recognizes the validity of contracts formed through electronic communication.
  5. Section 43: Penalty and Compensation for Damage to Computer, Computer System, etc.
    • Imposes penalties for unauthorized access, downloading, introduction of viruses, or causing damage to a computer or computer system.
  6. Section 66: Computer Related Offences
    • Covers penalties for hacking with computer systems, data theft, and other related offenses. This section is further subdivided into specific offenses:
      • Section 66A: Sending offensive messages through communication service, etc. (Note: This section was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015 for being unconstitutional.)
      • Section 66B: Punishment for dishonestly receiving stolen computer resources or communication devices.
      • Section 66C: Punishment for identity theft.
      • Section 66D: Punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resources.
      • Section 66E: Punishment for violation of privacy.
      • Section 66F: Punishment for cyber terrorism.
  7. Section 67: Publishing or Transmitting Obscene Material in Electronic Form
    • Imposes penalties for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. This section includes:
      • Section 67A: Punishment for publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit act, etc.
      • Section 67B: Punishment for publishing or transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit act, etc.
  8. Section 69: Powers to Issue Directions for Interception or Monitoring or Decryption of Any Information Through Any Computer Resource
    • Grants the government the power to intercept, monitor, or decrypt information to ensure the security of the state or public order.
  9. Section 70: Protected System
    • The government can declare any computer, computer system, or network as a protected system, and unauthorized access to such systems is penalized.
  10. Section 72: Breach of Confidentiality and Privacy
    • Imposes penalties for unauthorized disclosure of information obtained under the powers conferred by the IT Act.
  11. Section 79: Exemption from Liability of Intermediary in Certain Cases
    • Provides conditions under which intermediaries, such as ISPs and web hosts, are exempt from liability for third-party content.
  12. Section 80: Power of Police Officer and Other Officers to Enter, Search, etc.
    • Provides the power to certain officers to enter, search, and arrest without warrant any person who is reasonably suspected of having committed, or of being about to commit, any offense under the IT Act.

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