IT Act 2000
CYBER LAW
- The computer-generated world of internet is known as cyberspace and the laws prevailing this area are known as Cyber laws and all the users of this space come under the ambit of these laws as it carries a kind of worldwide jurisdiction.
- Cyber law can also be described as that branch of law that deals with legal issues related to use of inter-networked information technology.
- In short, cyber law is the law governing computers and the internet.
IMPORTANCE OF CYBER LAW
Cyber laws is important because:-
- It prevent or reduce large scale damage from cybercriminal activities by protecting information access, privacy, communications, intellectual property (IP) and freedom of speech related to the use of the Internet, websites, email, computers, cell phones, software and hardware, such as data storage devices.
- As Internet traffic is increases day by day and it also increase proportion of legal issues world wide.
Indian IT ACT (Information Technology Act)
- The Information Technology Act, 2000 (also known as ITA-2000, or the IT Act) is an Act of the Indian Parliament (No 21 of 2000) notified on 17 October 2000.
- It is the primary law in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce.
- It is based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration recommended by the General Assembly of United Nations by a resolution dated 30 January 1997.
Features of IT Act 2000
- Digital signature has been replaced with electronic signature to make it a more technology neutral act.
- It elaborates on offenses, penalties, and breaches.
- It outlines the Justice Dispensation Systems for cyber-crimes.
- The Information Technology Act defines in a new section that cyber café is any facility from where the access to the internet is offered by any person in the ordinary course of business to the members of the public.
- It provides for the constitution of the Cyber Regulations Advisory Committee.
- The Information Technology Act is based on The Indian Penal Code, 1860, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, etc.
- It adds a provision to Section 81, which states that the provisions of the Act shall have overriding effect. The provision states that nothing contained in the Act shall restrict any person from exercising any right conferred under the Copyright Act, 1957.
IT Amendments Act 2008
- The IT Act 2000 was amended in December 2008 through IT (Amendment) Act 2008.
- It mainly focuses on Information Security, Cyber Terrorism, and Data Protection.
- IT Amendment Act 2008, came into force from October 27, 2009.
Major Amendments
- Authentication of e-records by digital signatures becomes legal.
- E-documents becomes legal.
- Maximum penalty amount is Rs. 1 crore in case of any damage to computes or computer systems.
- The Indian Penal Code, 1860, The Indian Evidence Act, 1872, The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 were amended to align them with the IT Act.
E-Waste : Hazards and Management
E-Waste
- Electronic waste or e-waste means discarded electrical or electronic devices.
- Used electronics which are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also considered e-waste.
Classification of E-Waste
Electronic waste can by classified into three category-
- Fastest growing waste
- Most valuable waste
- Very hazardous waste (if not handled carefully)
Composition of E-Waste
Electrical and Electronic equipment contains –
- Metallic and Non-metallic elements
- Alloys and Compounds such as Copper, Aluminium, Gold, Silver, Platinum, Nickel, Tin, Lead, Iron, Sulphur, Phosphorous, Arsenic, etc.
Types of E-Waste –
Govt. of India, is categorised the E-Waste into several categories –
- Large household appliances (including cooling and freezing appliances),
- Small household appliances, IT equipment (including monitors),
- Consumer electronics (including TVs),
- Lamps and Luminaires,
- Toys & Sporting equipment,
- Tools,
- Medical devices,
- Monitoring and control instruments and
- Automatic dispensers.
E-Waste Hazards:-
E-Waste is a combination of plastics and toxic chemicals, these get released into the environment.
Pollutants such as dioxins and furans from polyvinyl chloride, lead, beryllium, cadmium, mercury, etc. get into our environment and cause the following health & environmental hazards:
On Human Health
- Reproductive issues
- Developmental problems
- Damage to the immune system
- Interference with regulatory hormones
- Damage to the nervous system
- Kidney damage
- Hampers brain development in children
- May lead to lung cancer
- Skin ailments
- Cadmium accumulations on liver and kidney
- Asthmatic bronchitis
- DNA damage
- Muscle weakness
- Endocrine system disruption
On Environment
- Pollution of Ground Water
- Acidification of Soil
- Air Pollution
- E-waster accounts for 40% of lead and 75% of the heavy metals found in landfills.
E-Waste Disposal Process / e-Waste Management
The E-waste management involves proper recycling and recovery of the disposed material.
- Dismantling – Removal of dangerous substances (Hg switches, PCB), removal of easily accessible parts containing valuable substances (copper, steel, iron, precious, metal )
- Segregation of ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal and plastic
- Refurbishment and reuse
- Recycling / Recovery of valuable materials
- Treatment / Disposal of dangerous materials and waste.
Benefits of e-Waste Recycling (e-Waste Management)
It is very important to recycle & disposal of the e-Waste for the benefit of people, environment and the nation.
- Allows for recovery of valuable precious metals.
- Protects public health and water quality.
- Creates jobs for professional recyclers and refurbishes and creates new markets for the valuable components.
- Mining produces toxic waste, which are linked with crop devastation and human health crisis due to water contamination.
- Recycling of E-waste saves landfill space.
