CBSE Textbook: Cyber Laws, Safety and Security in India | Legal Studies for Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
Cyber Laws, Safety  
and Security in India
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
III. What is Cyber law?
IV . What is Cyber safety and Security?
V . What is Cyber-crime?
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime.
VII. Cyberlaw in India
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
X. Exercises
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this chapter, the students will be able to:
• Define Cyber Space and list its features
• Analyse the importance of Cyber Security and Safety
• Explain the meaning of Cyber-crime and the need for Cyber Laws
• Evaluate Cyber Laws in India
• Explain types of Cyber-crimes
• Analyse Cyber-crime and Cyber bullying
• Critically analyse the judicial pronouncement repeating Section 66A of the Information 
Technology Act, 2000 
I. Introduction
We live in a world where we see rapid technological advances on a day-to-day basis. The emergence 
of advanced digital innovations are providing new opportunities for people from all over the world to 
connect and communicate. All these opportunities and advances are possible because of the internet. 
The Internet is defined as, ‘a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods 
of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect’.  
This computer-generated world of the internet that involves interactions between people, software and 
CHAPTER
5
Page 2


UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
Cyber Laws, Safety  
and Security in India
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
III. What is Cyber law?
IV . What is Cyber safety and Security?
V . What is Cyber-crime?
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime.
VII. Cyberlaw in India
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
X. Exercises
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this chapter, the students will be able to:
• Define Cyber Space and list its features
• Analyse the importance of Cyber Security and Safety
• Explain the meaning of Cyber-crime and the need for Cyber Laws
• Evaluate Cyber Laws in India
• Explain types of Cyber-crimes
• Analyse Cyber-crime and Cyber bullying
• Critically analyse the judicial pronouncement repeating Section 66A of the Information 
Technology Act, 2000 
I. Introduction
We live in a world where we see rapid technological advances on a day-to-day basis. The emergence 
of advanced digital innovations are providing new opportunities for people from all over the world to 
connect and communicate. All these opportunities and advances are possible because of the internet. 
The Internet is defined as, ‘a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods 
of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect’.  
This computer-generated world of the internet that involves interactions between people, software and 
CHAPTER
5
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
services is known as cyberspace. It is a dynamic, exponential and undefined space. As information 
and the Internet become more complex and large, it has become critical to maintain systems up and 
running all the time for safety and security.
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
When internet was developed, the founding fathers hardly had any idea that it could transform itself 
into an all pervading revolution which could be misused for criminal activities. Internet usage has 
significantly increased over the past few years.
The anonymous nature of the internet makes it possible for it to be used for many criminal activities. 
Cyber Law is important because it touches almost all aspects of transactions and activities on the 
internet. Every action and every reaction in the cyber space has cyber legal perspectives. Cyber law 
concerns every individual using the internet like booking a domain name, disputes relating to online 
intellectual property etc.
III. What is Cyber law? 
Cyber law deals with legal issues related to use of inter-networked information technology. It provides 
the legal rights and restrictions governing technology. In short, cyber law is the law governing 
computers and the internet.
Cyber law encompasses laws relating to Cyber crimes, Electronic and digital signatures Intellectual 
property, Data protection and privacy etc.
The Internet was initially developed as a research and information sharing tool and was unregulated. 
As the time passed by it became more transactional with e-business, e-commerce, e-governance and 
e-procurement etc. All legal issues related to internet crime are dealt with through cyber laws. As the 
number of internet users is on the rise, the need for cyber laws and their application has also gathered 
great momentum.
IV. What is Cyber safety and security?
Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology. 
It is not only about keeping information safe and secure, but also about being responsible with that 
information and being respectful of other people online. Cyber safety and security can be ensured by 
enacting laws, and use of technologies, processes and practices that are designed to protect networks, 
computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
V. What is Cyber-crime?
Cyber-crime refers to an activity done with criminal intent in cyberspace. In other words, any offence 
or crime in which a computer is used is a cyber-crime. Even a petty offence like stealing can be brought 
within the broader purview of cyber crime if the basic data or aid to such an offence is a computer 
or information stored in a computer used (or misused) by the fraudster. Cyber crimes can be against 
persons, property or government. For example, cyber stalking, computer vandalism, stealing of data, 
hacking, phishing, mail fraud etc. The term cyber-crime is not defined in Information T echnology Act, 
2000 neither in the National Cyber Security Policy 2013 nor in any other regulation in India.
However, ‘Cybercrime’ has been defined by the National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal (a body set 
up by the government to facilitate reporting of cyber-crime complaints) to ‘mean any unlawful act 
where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the 
commission of crime’.
Page 3


UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
Cyber Laws, Safety  
and Security in India
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
III. What is Cyber law?
IV . What is Cyber safety and Security?
V . What is Cyber-crime?
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime.
VII. Cyberlaw in India
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
X. Exercises
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this chapter, the students will be able to:
• Define Cyber Space and list its features
• Analyse the importance of Cyber Security and Safety
• Explain the meaning of Cyber-crime and the need for Cyber Laws
• Evaluate Cyber Laws in India
• Explain types of Cyber-crimes
• Analyse Cyber-crime and Cyber bullying
• Critically analyse the judicial pronouncement repeating Section 66A of the Information 
Technology Act, 2000 
I. Introduction
We live in a world where we see rapid technological advances on a day-to-day basis. The emergence 
of advanced digital innovations are providing new opportunities for people from all over the world to 
connect and communicate. All these opportunities and advances are possible because of the internet. 
The Internet is defined as, ‘a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods 
of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect’.  
This computer-generated world of the internet that involves interactions between people, software and 
CHAPTER
5
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
services is known as cyberspace. It is a dynamic, exponential and undefined space. As information 
and the Internet become more complex and large, it has become critical to maintain systems up and 
running all the time for safety and security.
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
When internet was developed, the founding fathers hardly had any idea that it could transform itself 
into an all pervading revolution which could be misused for criminal activities. Internet usage has 
significantly increased over the past few years.
The anonymous nature of the internet makes it possible for it to be used for many criminal activities. 
Cyber Law is important because it touches almost all aspects of transactions and activities on the 
internet. Every action and every reaction in the cyber space has cyber legal perspectives. Cyber law 
concerns every individual using the internet like booking a domain name, disputes relating to online 
intellectual property etc.
III. What is Cyber law? 
Cyber law deals with legal issues related to use of inter-networked information technology. It provides 
the legal rights and restrictions governing technology. In short, cyber law is the law governing 
computers and the internet.
Cyber law encompasses laws relating to Cyber crimes, Electronic and digital signatures Intellectual 
property, Data protection and privacy etc.
The Internet was initially developed as a research and information sharing tool and was unregulated. 
As the time passed by it became more transactional with e-business, e-commerce, e-governance and 
e-procurement etc. All legal issues related to internet crime are dealt with through cyber laws. As the 
number of internet users is on the rise, the need for cyber laws and their application has also gathered 
great momentum.
IV. What is Cyber safety and security?
Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology. 
It is not only about keeping information safe and secure, but also about being responsible with that 
information and being respectful of other people online. Cyber safety and security can be ensured by 
enacting laws, and use of technologies, processes and practices that are designed to protect networks, 
computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
V. What is Cyber-crime?
Cyber-crime refers to an activity done with criminal intent in cyberspace. In other words, any offence 
or crime in which a computer is used is a cyber-crime. Even a petty offence like stealing can be brought 
within the broader purview of cyber crime if the basic data or aid to such an offence is a computer 
or information stored in a computer used (or misused) by the fraudster. Cyber crimes can be against 
persons, property or government. For example, cyber stalking, computer vandalism, stealing of data, 
hacking, phishing, mail fraud etc. The term cyber-crime is not defined in Information T echnology Act, 
2000 neither in the National Cyber Security Policy 2013 nor in any other regulation in India.
However, ‘Cybercrime’ has been defined by the National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal (a body set 
up by the government to facilitate reporting of cyber-crime complaints) to ‘mean any unlawful act 
where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the 
commission of crime’.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
100
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime
Cyber-crimes can be divided into three major categories:
1. Cyber Crime against person- It includes crimes like cyber stalking, cyber harassment, 
transmission of child pornography etc. 
2. Cyber Crime against property- It includes computer trespassing, vandalism and unauthorised 
possession of computerised information etc.
3. Cyber Crime against Government- Cyber terrorism is a distinct kind of crime in this category.
4. Cyber Harrassment- Various kinds of harassment can occur in cyber space or by use of cyber 
space. It can be sexual, racial, religious or others. It can also take within its ambit violation of 
privacy of netizens (online citizens). Internet makes it easy to invade the privacy of any person 
which can result in harassment.
5. Cyber Bullying- Cyber Bullying is bullying with the help of cyber space and use of devices like 
cell phone, tablets, laptops etc.
 It can occur through SMS, email, social forums as well as gaming. It means sending, sharing 
or posting false, derogatory, harmful or negative content about any person. It includes sharing 
personal information about a person without his or her consent causing humiliation. Cyber 
bullying can even result in unlawful or criminal behaviour online.
 Cyber Bullying and online gaming
 Playing video games is a popular past time for children these days. It therefore becomes a 
platform for cyber bullying. If someone doesn’t perform well in a game, he or she becomes a 
victim of negative remarks and even excluded from the game altogether. This results in cyber 
bullying. 
 Sometimes, the bully may use the game as a medium to obtain personal information of the 
gamers, thereby compromising not just the child’s information but also their parents. This tactic 
is known as Doxing, and makes children more vulnerable to harassment by the bully.
 Hacking as a cyber-crime
 It is one of the gravest cyber-crimes known. It happens when a stranger breaks into a person’s 
computer system without that person’s knowledge or consent and tampers with confidential 
information. Hacking into government or military owned website results in Cyber Terrorism.
Attack on World Trade Centre- The September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and the World 
Trade Centre, USA demonstrated the use of cyber space for terrorism. The terrorists gained 
access to intellectual resources of the government and used it as weapons of destruction. The 
terrorists hijacked the flight procedures and schedules and executed the ghastly September 
11 attack.
 Cybersecurity
 Under the Act, ‘cybersecurity’ means protecting information, equipment, devices, computers, 
computer resources, communication devices and information stored therein from unauthorised 
access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.
Page 4


UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
Cyber Laws, Safety  
and Security in India
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
III. What is Cyber law?
IV . What is Cyber safety and Security?
V . What is Cyber-crime?
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime.
VII. Cyberlaw in India
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
X. Exercises
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this chapter, the students will be able to:
• Define Cyber Space and list its features
• Analyse the importance of Cyber Security and Safety
• Explain the meaning of Cyber-crime and the need for Cyber Laws
• Evaluate Cyber Laws in India
• Explain types of Cyber-crimes
• Analyse Cyber-crime and Cyber bullying
• Critically analyse the judicial pronouncement repeating Section 66A of the Information 
Technology Act, 2000 
I. Introduction
We live in a world where we see rapid technological advances on a day-to-day basis. The emergence 
of advanced digital innovations are providing new opportunities for people from all over the world to 
connect and communicate. All these opportunities and advances are possible because of the internet. 
The Internet is defined as, ‘a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods 
of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect’.  
This computer-generated world of the internet that involves interactions between people, software and 
CHAPTER
5
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
services is known as cyberspace. It is a dynamic, exponential and undefined space. As information 
and the Internet become more complex and large, it has become critical to maintain systems up and 
running all the time for safety and security.
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
When internet was developed, the founding fathers hardly had any idea that it could transform itself 
into an all pervading revolution which could be misused for criminal activities. Internet usage has 
significantly increased over the past few years.
The anonymous nature of the internet makes it possible for it to be used for many criminal activities. 
Cyber Law is important because it touches almost all aspects of transactions and activities on the 
internet. Every action and every reaction in the cyber space has cyber legal perspectives. Cyber law 
concerns every individual using the internet like booking a domain name, disputes relating to online 
intellectual property etc.
III. What is Cyber law? 
Cyber law deals with legal issues related to use of inter-networked information technology. It provides 
the legal rights and restrictions governing technology. In short, cyber law is the law governing 
computers and the internet.
Cyber law encompasses laws relating to Cyber crimes, Electronic and digital signatures Intellectual 
property, Data protection and privacy etc.
The Internet was initially developed as a research and information sharing tool and was unregulated. 
As the time passed by it became more transactional with e-business, e-commerce, e-governance and 
e-procurement etc. All legal issues related to internet crime are dealt with through cyber laws. As the 
number of internet users is on the rise, the need for cyber laws and their application has also gathered 
great momentum.
IV. What is Cyber safety and security?
Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology. 
It is not only about keeping information safe and secure, but also about being responsible with that 
information and being respectful of other people online. Cyber safety and security can be ensured by 
enacting laws, and use of technologies, processes and practices that are designed to protect networks, 
computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
V. What is Cyber-crime?
Cyber-crime refers to an activity done with criminal intent in cyberspace. In other words, any offence 
or crime in which a computer is used is a cyber-crime. Even a petty offence like stealing can be brought 
within the broader purview of cyber crime if the basic data or aid to such an offence is a computer 
or information stored in a computer used (or misused) by the fraudster. Cyber crimes can be against 
persons, property or government. For example, cyber stalking, computer vandalism, stealing of data, 
hacking, phishing, mail fraud etc. The term cyber-crime is not defined in Information T echnology Act, 
2000 neither in the National Cyber Security Policy 2013 nor in any other regulation in India.
However, ‘Cybercrime’ has been defined by the National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal (a body set 
up by the government to facilitate reporting of cyber-crime complaints) to ‘mean any unlawful act 
where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the 
commission of crime’.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
100
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime
Cyber-crimes can be divided into three major categories:
1. Cyber Crime against person- It includes crimes like cyber stalking, cyber harassment, 
transmission of child pornography etc. 
2. Cyber Crime against property- It includes computer trespassing, vandalism and unauthorised 
possession of computerised information etc.
3. Cyber Crime against Government- Cyber terrorism is a distinct kind of crime in this category.
4. Cyber Harrassment- Various kinds of harassment can occur in cyber space or by use of cyber 
space. It can be sexual, racial, religious or others. It can also take within its ambit violation of 
privacy of netizens (online citizens). Internet makes it easy to invade the privacy of any person 
which can result in harassment.
5. Cyber Bullying- Cyber Bullying is bullying with the help of cyber space and use of devices like 
cell phone, tablets, laptops etc.
 It can occur through SMS, email, social forums as well as gaming. It means sending, sharing 
or posting false, derogatory, harmful or negative content about any person. It includes sharing 
personal information about a person without his or her consent causing humiliation. Cyber 
bullying can even result in unlawful or criminal behaviour online.
 Cyber Bullying and online gaming
 Playing video games is a popular past time for children these days. It therefore becomes a 
platform for cyber bullying. If someone doesn’t perform well in a game, he or she becomes a 
victim of negative remarks and even excluded from the game altogether. This results in cyber 
bullying. 
 Sometimes, the bully may use the game as a medium to obtain personal information of the 
gamers, thereby compromising not just the child’s information but also their parents. This tactic 
is known as Doxing, and makes children more vulnerable to harassment by the bully.
 Hacking as a cyber-crime
 It is one of the gravest cyber-crimes known. It happens when a stranger breaks into a person’s 
computer system without that person’s knowledge or consent and tampers with confidential 
information. Hacking into government or military owned website results in Cyber Terrorism.
Attack on World Trade Centre- The September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and the World 
Trade Centre, USA demonstrated the use of cyber space for terrorism. The terrorists gained 
access to intellectual resources of the government and used it as weapons of destruction. The 
terrorists hijacked the flight procedures and schedules and executed the ghastly September 
11 attack.
 Cybersecurity
 Under the Act, ‘cybersecurity’ means protecting information, equipment, devices, computers, 
computer resources, communication devices and information stored therein from unauthorised 
access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
101
VII. Cyber Law in India
In India, cyber laws are contained in the Information Technology Act, 2000 which came into force 
on October 17, 2000. The main purpose of the Act is to provide legal recognition for transactions 
carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, 
commonly referred to as electronic commerce and to facilitate filing of electronic records with the 
Government.
History of Cyber Law in India
In 1996, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted the 
Model Law on Electronic Commerce to bring uniformity in the law in different countries.
The Model Law on Electronic Commerce aims to enable and facilitate commerce conducted by 
electronic means by providing countries with a set of universally acceptable rules that are aimed at 
removing legal obstacles and increasing legal predictability for electronic commerce. This model law 
provides for equal treatment which is essential for enabling paperless communication and fostering 
efficiency in international trade. 
India became the 12th country to enable cyber law after it passed the Information Technology Act, 
2000. 
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000
The Information Technology Act, 2000 extends to the whole of India. It also applies to any offence 
or contravention committed outside India by any person irrespective of his/her nationality, provided 
such offence or contravention involves a computer, computer system or network located in India.
The courts in India have also recognised cybercrime (eg, the Gujarat High Court in the case of 
Jaydeep Vrujlal Depani v State of Gujarat R/SCR.A/5708/2018 Order), to mean ‘the offences that   
are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally   
harm   the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm, or loss, to the  victim directly 
or indirectly, using modern  telecommunication networks such as Internet (networks including but 
not limited to Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups) and  mobile phones (Bluetooth/SMS/
MMS)’.
The Act provides legal infrastructure for e-commerce, electronic records (like online contracts) and 
other activities carried out by electronic means. It also deals with electronic governance and cyber 
crimes.
Interesting Fact : The Information Technology Act, 2000 defines Digital Signature as 
Authentication of any electronic record by a subscriber by means of electronic method or 
procedure.
Page 5


UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
Cyber Laws, Safety  
and Security in India
Contents
I. Introduction
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
III. What is Cyber law?
IV . What is Cyber safety and Security?
V . What is Cyber-crime?
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime.
VII. Cyberlaw in India
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
X. Exercises
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this chapter, the students will be able to:
• Define Cyber Space and list its features
• Analyse the importance of Cyber Security and Safety
• Explain the meaning of Cyber-crime and the need for Cyber Laws
• Evaluate Cyber Laws in India
• Explain types of Cyber-crimes
• Analyse Cyber-crime and Cyber bullying
• Critically analyse the judicial pronouncement repeating Section 66A of the Information 
Technology Act, 2000 
I. Introduction
We live in a world where we see rapid technological advances on a day-to-day basis. The emergence 
of advanced digital innovations are providing new opportunities for people from all over the world to 
connect and communicate. All these opportunities and advances are possible because of the internet. 
The Internet is defined as, ‘a system architecture that has revolutionized communications and methods 
of commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect’.  
This computer-generated world of the internet that involves interactions between people, software and 
CHAPTER
5
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
services is known as cyberspace. It is a dynamic, exponential and undefined space. As information 
and the Internet become more complex and large, it has become critical to maintain systems up and 
running all the time for safety and security.
II. Why do we need Cyber Laws?
When internet was developed, the founding fathers hardly had any idea that it could transform itself 
into an all pervading revolution which could be misused for criminal activities. Internet usage has 
significantly increased over the past few years.
The anonymous nature of the internet makes it possible for it to be used for many criminal activities. 
Cyber Law is important because it touches almost all aspects of transactions and activities on the 
internet. Every action and every reaction in the cyber space has cyber legal perspectives. Cyber law 
concerns every individual using the internet like booking a domain name, disputes relating to online 
intellectual property etc.
III. What is Cyber law? 
Cyber law deals with legal issues related to use of inter-networked information technology. It provides 
the legal rights and restrictions governing technology. In short, cyber law is the law governing 
computers and the internet.
Cyber law encompasses laws relating to Cyber crimes, Electronic and digital signatures Intellectual 
property, Data protection and privacy etc.
The Internet was initially developed as a research and information sharing tool and was unregulated. 
As the time passed by it became more transactional with e-business, e-commerce, e-governance and 
e-procurement etc. All legal issues related to internet crime are dealt with through cyber laws. As the 
number of internet users is on the rise, the need for cyber laws and their application has also gathered 
great momentum.
IV. What is Cyber safety and security?
Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology. 
It is not only about keeping information safe and secure, but also about being responsible with that 
information and being respectful of other people online. Cyber safety and security can be ensured by 
enacting laws, and use of technologies, processes and practices that are designed to protect networks, 
computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access.
V. What is Cyber-crime?
Cyber-crime refers to an activity done with criminal intent in cyberspace. In other words, any offence 
or crime in which a computer is used is a cyber-crime. Even a petty offence like stealing can be brought 
within the broader purview of cyber crime if the basic data or aid to such an offence is a computer 
or information stored in a computer used (or misused) by the fraudster. Cyber crimes can be against 
persons, property or government. For example, cyber stalking, computer vandalism, stealing of data, 
hacking, phishing, mail fraud etc. The term cyber-crime is not defined in Information T echnology Act, 
2000 neither in the National Cyber Security Policy 2013 nor in any other regulation in India.
However, ‘Cybercrime’ has been defined by the National Cyber-crime Reporting Portal (a body set 
up by the government to facilitate reporting of cyber-crime complaints) to ‘mean any unlawful act 
where a computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the 
commission of crime’.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
100
VI. Categories of Cyber-crime
Cyber-crimes can be divided into three major categories:
1. Cyber Crime against person- It includes crimes like cyber stalking, cyber harassment, 
transmission of child pornography etc. 
2. Cyber Crime against property- It includes computer trespassing, vandalism and unauthorised 
possession of computerised information etc.
3. Cyber Crime against Government- Cyber terrorism is a distinct kind of crime in this category.
4. Cyber Harrassment- Various kinds of harassment can occur in cyber space or by use of cyber 
space. It can be sexual, racial, religious or others. It can also take within its ambit violation of 
privacy of netizens (online citizens). Internet makes it easy to invade the privacy of any person 
which can result in harassment.
5. Cyber Bullying- Cyber Bullying is bullying with the help of cyber space and use of devices like 
cell phone, tablets, laptops etc.
 It can occur through SMS, email, social forums as well as gaming. It means sending, sharing 
or posting false, derogatory, harmful or negative content about any person. It includes sharing 
personal information about a person without his or her consent causing humiliation. Cyber 
bullying can even result in unlawful or criminal behaviour online.
 Cyber Bullying and online gaming
 Playing video games is a popular past time for children these days. It therefore becomes a 
platform for cyber bullying. If someone doesn’t perform well in a game, he or she becomes a 
victim of negative remarks and even excluded from the game altogether. This results in cyber 
bullying. 
 Sometimes, the bully may use the game as a medium to obtain personal information of the 
gamers, thereby compromising not just the child’s information but also their parents. This tactic 
is known as Doxing, and makes children more vulnerable to harassment by the bully.
 Hacking as a cyber-crime
 It is one of the gravest cyber-crimes known. It happens when a stranger breaks into a person’s 
computer system without that person’s knowledge or consent and tampers with confidential 
information. Hacking into government or military owned website results in Cyber Terrorism.
Attack on World Trade Centre- The September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon and the World 
Trade Centre, USA demonstrated the use of cyber space for terrorism. The terrorists gained 
access to intellectual resources of the government and used it as weapons of destruction. The 
terrorists hijacked the flight procedures and schedules and executed the ghastly September 
11 attack.
 Cybersecurity
 Under the Act, ‘cybersecurity’ means protecting information, equipment, devices, computers, 
computer resources, communication devices and information stored therein from unauthorised 
access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
101
VII. Cyber Law in India
In India, cyber laws are contained in the Information Technology Act, 2000 which came into force 
on October 17, 2000. The main purpose of the Act is to provide legal recognition for transactions 
carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, 
commonly referred to as electronic commerce and to facilitate filing of electronic records with the 
Government.
History of Cyber Law in India
In 1996, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) adopted the 
Model Law on Electronic Commerce to bring uniformity in the law in different countries.
The Model Law on Electronic Commerce aims to enable and facilitate commerce conducted by 
electronic means by providing countries with a set of universally acceptable rules that are aimed at 
removing legal obstacles and increasing legal predictability for electronic commerce. This model law 
provides for equal treatment which is essential for enabling paperless communication and fostering 
efficiency in international trade. 
India became the 12th country to enable cyber law after it passed the Information Technology Act, 
2000. 
VIII. Scope or Extent of The Information Technology Act, 2000
The Information Technology Act, 2000 extends to the whole of India. It also applies to any offence 
or contravention committed outside India by any person irrespective of his/her nationality, provided 
such offence or contravention involves a computer, computer system or network located in India.
The courts in India have also recognised cybercrime (eg, the Gujarat High Court in the case of 
Jaydeep Vrujlal Depani v State of Gujarat R/SCR.A/5708/2018 Order), to mean ‘the offences that   
are committed against individuals or groups of individuals with a criminal motive to intentionally   
harm   the reputation of the victim or cause physical or mental harm, or loss, to the  victim directly 
or indirectly, using modern  telecommunication networks such as Internet (networks including but 
not limited to Chat rooms, emails, notice boards and groups) and  mobile phones (Bluetooth/SMS/
MMS)’.
The Act provides legal infrastructure for e-commerce, electronic records (like online contracts) and 
other activities carried out by electronic means. It also deals with electronic governance and cyber 
crimes.
Interesting Fact : The Information Technology Act, 2000 defines Digital Signature as 
Authentication of any electronic record by a subscriber by means of electronic method or 
procedure.
UNIT I UNIT II
UNIT III
UNIT IV UNIT V
102
SECTION 66A AND SHREYA SINGHAL
IX. What was Section 66 A IT Act, 2000?
Section 66 A of the IT ACT, 2000 made it a punishable offence for any person to send ‘grossly 
offensive’ or ‘menacing information’ using a computer resource or communication device.
Section 66A was inserted by way of an amendment in the year 2009. The reason behind the 
amendment was to address new forms of cyber crimes such as publishing sexually explicit materials in 
electronic form, video voyeurism and breach of confidentiality and leakage of data by intermediary, 
e-commerce frauds like personation commonly known as Phishing, identity theft and offensive 
messages through communication services. Therefore, the said Section 66 A IT Act, 2000 imposed 
punishment and criminalised the sending of offensive messages through a computer or other 
communication devices.  However, the act used wide terms in this Section which were not defined 
under the Act and hence caused a lot of confusion as the perception of an individual in defining 
“grossly offensive” and “menacing information” varies from one individual to another. 
In the year 2012, in the matter of Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, a batch of writ petitions were filed 
under Article 32 of the Constitution of India raising an important question relating primarily to the 
fundamental right of free speech and expression guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution of India. 
The immediate cause for concern in these petitions was Section 66A of the Information Technology 
Act of 2000. The petitioners argued that wordings of the section were too wide and ambiguous 
leading to misuse. Most of the terms used in the section had not been specifically defined under the 
Act. Further, the petitioners argued that the section restricted the right to free speech and expression 
prescribed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
What did the Supreme Court decide?
On March 24, 2015, the Hon’ble Supreme Court struck down Section 66 A of the IT Act, 2000 and 
declared it unconstitutional for “being violative of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.