In which year India's I.T. Act came into existence?

The correct answer is 2000.

Key Points

• The Information Technology Act, 2000, was enacted by the Parliament of India to provide a legal framework for electronic governance.
• This Act is the primary law in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce.
• The IT Act, 2000, was signed into law by then-President K.R. Narayanan on 9 June 2000 and came into force on 17 October 2000.
• It aims to facilitate electronic transactions and ensure security practices to protect data and privacy.
• The Act includes provisions for digital signatures, electronic records, and the legal recognition of electronic contracts.

Additional Information

• Cybercrime:
  • Cybercrime refers to criminal activities conducted via the internet or other computer networks.
  • Examples include hacking, identity theft, phishing, and spreading malware.
  • The IT Act, 2000, addresses various forms of cybercrime and lays down the penalties for such offenses.
• Electronic Commerce:
  • Electronic commerce, or e-commerce, involves buying and selling goods and services over the internet.
  • The IT Act, 2000, provides legal recognition to electronic transactions and digital signatures.
  • This has facilitated the growth of online businesses and digital marketplaces in India.
• Digital Signature:
  • A digital signature is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity of digital messages or documents.
  • The IT Act, 2000, provides legal validity to digital signatures, making them equivalent to handwritten signatures.
  • This ensures the integrity and authenticity of electronic documents.
• Data Protection:
  • Data protection refers to safeguarding personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
  • The IT Act, 2000, includes provisions to protect sensitive personal data and to ensure data privacy.
  • Organizations are required to implement security practices to protect data under this Act.