A Review of Information Technology Act, 2000

Abstract

The new boon brought by information technology has brought its scar in the form of cybercrime, moreover the new business environment required new regulations for its legal endorsement as more and more business communities are moving towards electronic commerce and transborder contracts. To address this issue the United Nation through its core agency, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) had formulated a model legislation on electronic commerce. The Information Technology Act 2000 is the prime legislation dealing with cyber offenses and electronic commerce in India which is based on the United Nations Model Law on Electronic Commerce adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).The Information Technology Act 2000 is applicable to the whole of India, including any offense committed outside India, if such contravention involves a computer, computer system or computer network located in India. India with the adoption of the Information Technology Act, 2000 has entered the coveted world of the few countries that have separate law to deal with information technology issues. This has paved way for the growth of e-commerce and e-transaction, thereby advancing economic growth and a new era of e-governance has come into existence which helps in bringing transparency, efficiency and accountability in governance.

Keywords: Information Technology Law, Information Technology Act, 2000, Cyber Crime, eCommerce, UNCITRAL, cyberspace, cyber law in India