Social media law (information technology act 2000)

Social media law (information technology act 2000)

Author : Sumaiya khatun Student at Sultan ul uloom college of law 

Introduction

In today’s modern era social media plays a very crucial /vital role in everyone’s life, most of the people uses this medium to communicate to others or share their views, opinions and ideas through various social media platform which include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social sites.

There are various crimes committed on social media that are:

Cyber bulling:

It means to harass, embarrass, threaten or target another individual with the use of technology. It includes photos, videos, messages or contents that are posted to hurt or upset someone.

Cyber defamation:

It basically means if any person Intentionally or deliberately Publish false statement about another individual on cyber space to defame or injure the reputation of that individual.

Email phishing: 

when recipient is tricked by the malicious emails sends or design by the attacker for falling them into a scam.

Fake/impersonating profile:

In this a fake profile is created in any platform and make rumors and post objectionable photos and videos of the victim in the social media to defame them and for their own enjoyment especially with the women.

Burglary via social networking: 

In this the criminals search social media for a target for burglary. Most of the users post their personal information or activities on social media but this led reverse effect on them because criminal use.

Laws Relating To Social Media In India:

Constitution of India 1950:

The constitution of India provides freedom to every citizen that state cannot take away. Through Article 19(1)(a) of constitution provides freedom of speech and expression to every person but this right is not absolute, the government has imposed certain restriction on them under article 19(2) of Indian constitution. 

Information Technology act 2000:

Section 66(a) of this act brings prohibition and punishment to any offence which is committed via social media to hurt or cause injury to others. And section 69(a) says that government has all the rights to stop or ban the public access to the information which is inconsistent with the provision of the government.

International laws relating to social media:

In Germany there is a law called NetzDG in which they set up the procedure so that they can review the content and if any illegal material is found then it has to be removed within 24 hours and also give updates about what’s happening by them and if they did not remove it then then they have to pay the fine.

Conclusion

At last, it is concluded that social media is bane or boon for everyone as it helps to connect with their loved one but on other hand some of its users became the victim of cyberattacks. Despite the fact that there are various laws are in existence for protecting the victim from the wrongdoer but need for new laws can never be ruled out.