Business India

India is on the threshold of a acquiring its first set of truly Internet-enabled cyber laws. The IT Act, which encompasses these new rules and procedures has already done its rounds of Parliament and is set for implementation. Cyber laws will in fact be implemented during September, 2000. The Draft Rules have been announced on the Web, marking a departure from the old regime where the populace wasn’t quite consulted on what regulations to bring in. Today, India’s people are being taken into confidence and consulted on what kind of a cyber law environment they prefer. The Minister of Information Technology, Mr. Pramod Mahajan needs to be complimented on this rather bold and innovative move.

India is on the threshold of a acquiring its first set of truly Internet-enabled cyber laws. The IT Act, which encompasses these new rules and procedures has already done its rounds of Parliament and is set for implementation. Cyber laws will in fact be implemented during September, 2000. The Draft Rules have been announced on the Web, marking a departure from the old regime where the populace wasn’t quite consulted on what regulations to bring in. Today, India’s people are being taken into confidence and consulted on what kind of a cyber law environment they prefer. The Minister of Information Technology, Mr. Pramod Mahajan needs to be complimented on this rather bold and innovative move.

A simple, perfectly sane person can become a “cyber danda holder” once the mantle of “controller” falls on him.

The government has to consider creating a less ominous and more user friendly title, where the cyber controller is actually a “facilitator.”

The Indian government also has to exercise caution in appointing a certifying authority for issues like digital signatures. The fact is, monopolies are bad, an absolute “no-no,” which is why no single agency should be saddled with this onerous task. What is needed is participation from both the private and public sectors in this domain. While, private entrepreneurs should lead the way, cyber-savvy banks and conglomerates led by HDFC and ICICI could be the answer. It is also a good idea to involve the post offices across the country. Most of India’s rural and small town population still reposes immense trust in this institution which is unfortunately dying a natural death.

We have to remember that national security is of paramount importance as are the interests of India. While India should collaborate with foreign organizations to procure the best security technologies from overseas, the certifying cyber authority should be an Indian agency.

Provided the correct cyber environment is created, e-commerce can flourish. Analysts are indicating that the introduction of cyber laws and the entry of procedures and rules for verifying digital signatures could provide a significant impetus to Internet based business activity.

While the figures for e-commerce transactions in India were modest for 1999-2000 (Rs 450 crore worth of business was transacted), the future is stated to be extremely bright.

A Nasscom study estimates that by 2001-02, e-commerce transactions will amount to a massive Rs. 15,000 crore. Of this while Rs. 13,200 crore would be contributed by B2B (business-to-business) e-commerce transactions, the remaining Rs. 1,800 crore would come from (business-to-consumer) B2C activity.

All this is possible if we talk cyber dhanda rather than cyber danda.

The arrival of cyber laws should not translate into shackles that bind organizations and common Internet users. On the contrary, IT laws should promote cyber dhanda.

For this to happen, there has to be great clarity and simplification of laws. The cyber cops of the country (the police force which will be responsible for tracking Net related crimes and impart punishment) also have to be made aware of the fine print associated with such law infringements. It has to be emphasized that they need to concentrate on cyber crime that impacts national security or affects society at large, viz, hacking, viruses, cyber terrorism, etc. The worry is that over zealous cyber cops could begin harassing innocent cyber voyagers from making their harmless journeys. The activities of segments such as cyber cafes, dating sites and bulletin boards (which are a source of entertainment for the Internet community) should not emerge as the new priorities for the cops.

Cyber policing is all very well, but we have to ensure and uphold the privacy of our Netizens. If we want to truly proliferate the Internet and encourage its use for generating wealth, we have to leave it free. What people do within the four walls of their bedrooms, is clearly their own business. Let not the cyber danda rule. Let the cyber dhanda prevail!