What are different kind of offences under IT Act ? What are the punishment for these offences?

Different kind of offences under IT Act & their punishments 

Introduction:
The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) in India outlines several cyber offenses and their corresponding punishments. The Act was enacted to provide a legal framework for electronic governance by giving recognition to electronic records and digital signatures. 

1. Tampering with Computer Source Documents (Section 65)
  • Offense: Knowingly or intentionally concealing, destroying, or altering any computer source code used for a computer, computer program, computer system, or computer network.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 - years, or a Fine which may extend to 2-lakh rupees, or both.
2. Hacking with Computer System (Section 66)
  • Offense: Any person who, with the intent to cause or knowing that they are likely to cause wrongful loss or damage, destroys or deletes or alters any information residing in a computer resource or diminishes its value or utility, or affects it injuriously by any means.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or Fine which may extend to five lakh rupees.
3. Identity Theft (Section 66C)
  • Offense: Fraudulently or dishonestly making use of the electronic signature, password, or any other unique identification feature of any other person.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years. or  Fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.
4. Cheating by Personation by Using Computer Resource (Section 66D)
  • Offense: Cheating by personation using any communication device or computer resource.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years. or Fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.
5. Violation of Privacy (Section 66E)
  • Offense: Intentionally or knowingly capturing, publishing, or transmitting the image of a private area of any person without their consent, under circumstances violating that person's privacy.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment which may extend to three years,  or Fine not exceeding two lakh rupees, or both.
6. Cyber Terrorism (Section 66F)
  • Offense: Acts with the intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty of India or to strike terror by denying access to authorized personnel, attempting unauthorized access, or introducing contaminants into computer resources.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment which may extend to imprisonment for life.

7. Publishing or Transmitting Obscene Material in Electronic Form (Section 67)
  • Offense: Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
  • Punishment:
  1. First conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and a fine which may extend to five lakh rupees.
  2. Second or subsequent conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and a fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
8. Publishing or Transmitting Material Containing Sexually Explicit Act, etc., in Electronic Form (Section 67A)
  • Offense: Publishing or transmitting material containing a sexually explicit act or conduct.
  • Punishment:
  1. First conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and a fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
  2. Second or subsequent conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and a fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
9. Publishing or Transmitting Material Depicting Children in Sexually Explicit Act, etc., in Electronic Form (Section 67B)
  • Offense: Publishing or transmitting material depicting children engaged in sexually explicit acts.
  • Punishment:
  1. First conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and a fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
  2. Second or subsequent conviction: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and a fine which may extend to ten lakh rupees.
10. Breach of Confidentiality and Privacy (Section 72)
  • Offense: Any person who, in pursuance of any powers conferred under the IT Act, secures access to any electronic record, book, register, correspondence, information, document, or other material without the consent of the person concerned and discloses it.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years. or Fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or both.
11. Publishing Digital Certificates with False Particulars (Section 73)
  • Offense: Knowingly creating, publishing, or making available a digital signature certificate with false particulars.
  • Punishment: Imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years. or  Fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or both.
Conclusion:
The IT Act, 2000, establishes a comprehensive legal framework to address various cyber offenses, ensuring protection against unauthorized access, data breaches, identity theft, cyber terrorism, and the spread of obscene and explicit material. These provisions are vital for maintaining cybersecurity and protecting individuals' rights in the digital era, with punishments designed to deter cybercrimes and enforce legal compliance.





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