Information Technology Amendment Act 2008 (IT Act 2008)

The Information Technology Amendment Act 2008 (IT Act 2008) was introduced in India in order to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as "electronic commerce", which involve the use of alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of information. The Act also provides for the legal framework for electronic governance in India.

The IT Act 2008 has been divided into 13 chapters and 97 sections. The Act received the assent of the President of India on 5 February 2009. It came into force on October 11, 2009, except for sections 43A, 79 and 81, which came into force on October 27, 2009. The Act repeals the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The IT Act 2008 defines various offences which include hacking with computer system, publishing of obscene information in electronic form, cyber terrorism, publishing of false and misleading information, etc. The Act also provides for certain safeguards against these offences.

The IT Act 2008 has been amended by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008. The Amendment Act received the assent of the President of India on December 19, 2008. It came into force on October 27, 2009.

Why was the Information Technology amendment Act 2008 necessary?

The Information Technology amendment Act 2008 was necessary in order to make amendments to the existing law in relation to information technology and security. The main purpose of the Act was to make sure that the UK's information infrastructure was secure and resilient in the face of increasingly sophisticated and coordinated attacks.

The Act introduced a number of new measures to strengthen the UK's information security, including the introduction of a new statutory offence of unauthorised acts with intent to impair the operation of computers, new powers for the police and intelligence agencies to obtain and disclose communications data, and the creation of a new Cybercrime Unit within the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

The Act also contained a number of provisions designed to increase the transparency of the UK's information security practices and to improve the accountability of those who are responsible for ensuring the security of the UK's information infrastructure.

What is the updated version of IT Act 2008?

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (ITA-2000) was the first comprehensive legislation in India dealing with cybercrime and electronic commerce. In the wake of the growing use of information technology (IT) in India, the need for a dedicated law to tackle cybercrime was felt. The ITA-2000 was enacted with the objective of providing legal recognition to electronic commerce and deterring cybercrime.

The ITA-2000 has been amended several times, most recently in 2008. The amended Act, which came into force on October 27, 2009, includes a number of new provisions on cybercrime, cyber security, and electronic commerce.

One of the major changes introduced by the 2008 amendment is the introduction of the concept of "intermediaries". An intermediary is defined as any person who provides any service in relation to information technology, including but not limited to, computer resource, storage space, or communications device.

The amended Act provides for a number of new offences, including cyber terrorism, identity theft, cheating by impersonation, phishing, and cyber stalking. It also prescribes stricter penalties for existing offences, such as unauthorised access to computer systems and data theft.

The 2008 amendment also introduced a number of new provisions on electronic commerce. These include provisions on electronic signatures, electronic contracts, and regulation of certifying authorities.

The amended Act provides for a number of new measures to promote cyber security. These include the establishment of a National Critical