Q: Describe amendments in Information technology act, 2000 ?

Ans:  The major amendment in Information Technology Act, 2008 was introduced in 2008 and it introduced section 66A which penalized sending " offensive messages". 

According to Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, of 2000 ,  it a punishable offence for any person to send offensive information using a computer or any other electronic device.

The Section 69 of this act gives authorities of Government the power of interception or monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource. In addition to it, it also introduced provisions addressing pornography, child porn, cyber terrorism and voyeurism. The section 69A of this act also issues power to issue directions for blocking of public access of any information through any computer resource.

The amendment was passed on 22 December 2008 without any debate in Lok Sabha. It was also passed by the Rajya Sabha next day. It was signed by President Pratibha Patil, on 5 February 2009 and the amendments were included in the information technology act, 2000.

Section 69 A confers on the Central and State governments the power to issue directions “to intercept, monitor or decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource”.


The grounds on which these powers may be exercised are:


In the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state.


Friendly relations with foreign states.


Public order, or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to these.


For investigating any offence.


Process of Blocking Internet Websites:


Section 69A, for similar reasons and grounds (as stated above), enables the Centre to ask any agency of the government, or any intermediary, to block access to the public of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored or hosted on any computer resource.


The term ‘intermediaries’ includes providers of telecom service, network service, Internet service and web hosting, besides search engines, online payment and auction sites, online marketplaces and cyber cafes.


Any such request for blocking access must be based on reasons given in writing.


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