In India, cyber laws are governed by a combination of legislative acts, rules, and guidelines primarily aimed at regulating digital activities, preventing cybercrimes, and protecting data privacy. Here’s a breakdown of the key laws and their relevant provisions:

📚 1. Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)

The IT Act, 2000 is the primary law governing cyber activities in India. It provides legal recognition to electronic transactions and penalties for cybercrimes.

✅ Key Sections and Provisions:

• Section 43 – Penalty for unauthorized access, downloading, and damage to computer systems.
  📝 Fine up to ₹1 crore or compensation to the affected party.

• Section 66 – Punishment for hacking or unauthorized access with dishonest intent.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹5 lakh.

• Section 66A (Struck down by Supreme Court in 2015) – Previously punished sending offensive messages through electronic communication.

• Section 66B – Punishment for dishonestly receiving stolen computer resources or communication devices.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh.

• Section 66C – Identity theft, fraudulent use of passwords, or unique identification features.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh.

• Section 66D – Cheating by impersonation using computer resources.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹1 lakh.

• Section 66E – Punishment for violation of privacy, capturing, publishing images of a private area.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine up to ₹2 lakh.

• Section 67 – Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
  ⛓️ First conviction: Up to 5 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹10 lakh.
  ⛓️ Subsequent conviction: Up to 7 years imprisonment and fine up to ₹10 lakh.

• Section 67A – Publishing or transmitting sexually explicit content.
  ⛓️ First conviction: Up to 5 years and fine up to ₹10 lakh.
  ⛓️ Subsequent conviction: Up to 7 years and fine up to ₹10 lakh.

• Section 69 – Power to intercept, monitor, and decrypt information for national security.
  ✅ Government can intercept, monitor, or decrypt any information for public safety or national security.

• Section 72 – Breach of confidentiality and privacy.
  ⛓️ Imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to ₹1 lakh.

🛡️ 2. Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 – Relevant Sections

• Section 378 (Theft) – Applied for data theft or stealing confidential information.
• Section 420 (Cheating and Fraud) – Applicable in cases of phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud.
• Section 463-465 (Forgery) – Applied in cases of digital forgery, document tampering, and electronic record forgery.
• Section 499-500 (Defamation) – Used in cases of online defamation, slander, or derogatory remarks on social media.

🕵️ 3. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act)

This act governs data protection and privacy, replacing some provisions of the IT Act.

✅ Key Provisions:

• Consent-based data collection and processing.
• Rights of data principals, including the right to correction, erasure, and grievance redressal.
• Penalties for data breaches or violation of data protection provisions.

⚖️ 4. Companies Act, 2013

• Section 206 – Cyber forensics for investigating fraud in companies.
• Section 447 – Punishment for fraud, including cyber-related frauds.
• Section 465 – Penalty for falsifying electronic records in companies.

🔒 5. Indian Evidence Act, 1872

• Section 65B – Admissibility of electronic records in legal proceedings.
• Electronic records, digital signatures, and forensic reports are considered valid evidence under this section.

🎮 6. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012

• Section 14 & 15 – Punishes the use of children for creating or transmitting child pornographic material or online abuse.

🕰️ 7. The Aadhaar Act, 2016

• Governs the use and security of Aadhaar data.
• Prohibits unauthorized access, storage, and misuse of Aadhaar information.

🚨 8. Cybersecurity Guidelines by CERT-In

• The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is responsible for handling cybersecurity incidents and issuing guidelines on cybersecurity practices.

💡 Recent Developments:

• Stricter compliance for intermediaries and social media platforms under IT Rules 2021.
• Enhanced grievance redressal mechanisms for online platforms.