Revised Information Technology Act to strengthen security and privacy of data
Rajya Sabha
The Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 inter-alia include provisions for addressing protection of critical information infrastructure; privacy of information held in computer system and networks, breach of confidentiality and privacy, audit of electronic records, enabling public-private partnership in the area of e-Governance, conclusion of contract through electronic means, dishonestly stolen computers or communication device, spam, identity, theft, cheating by personality, violation of privacy, cyber terrorism and child pornography. The provisions also empower Government to prescribe guidelines for making service providers and intermediaries accountable and responsible towards consumers/ subscribers.
The focus of amendments in the Information Technology Act is to strengthen security and privacy of data.
The Information Technology Act, 2000 along with the amendment proposed through the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008 provides for privacy of information held in the computer systems and networks. Section 43, 43A, Section 72 and Section 72A of the Act address the issue of breach of confidentiality and privacy. Section 43A fixes the responsibility on the body corporate and companies to adequately protect the sensitive data or information which they own, possess, control or operate. Section 72 provides penalty for breach of confidentiality and privacy. Section 72A provides for breach of lawful contract which will prevent any intermediary and service provider, who has secured any material or information from a user, from passing it on to other persons, without the consent of user.
This information was given by Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology in the Rajya Sabha yesterday in a written reply.
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BV/AT/PB
(Release ID :50088)