Tech crime: Cabinet okays changes in Act

Cabinet approves proposal to amend sections in IT Act to make it responsive to new technologies, reports HT correspondent.

The Cabinet on Monday approved a proposal to amend a few of the existing sections and to insert a new section in the Information Technology Act.

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This step was taken to make it responsive to new technologies in order to counter new forms of computer misuse like video voyeurism and identity theft and e-commerce frauds like phishing under which sensitive information is acquired fraudulently through instruments like fake e-mails.

The changes also make the law neutral in line with the recommendations made by United Nations Commission on International Trade Law's (UNCITRAL) model law on electronic signature.

Cyber Law expert Pavan Duggal said, "It is a welcome move, but the strength of the amendments to meet the new challenges would be known only when they are spelt out."