Cyber Law Cell

Faculty Coordinator:  Dr. Suvarna S Nilakh

Student Coordinators:  Aakash Khatri, Gurleen Chawla, (V BA.LL.B.) Shreyas Shetty, Shubham Gurav, Preksha Chand and Ram Sharma,Mayura Joshi (IV BA. LL.B)

Considering the growing importance of Information Technology and Cyber Law, this year we have started Cyber Law Cell. This Cell aims to create awareness about cyber law among the students. Report of the sessions conducted during this year is as follows:-

Inaugural Session
Topic: Introduction to Cyber Law and Cyber Law Cell
Presenter : Aakash Khatri (V BA.LL.B.)
Date:- 09/01/2019

Cyber law is nothing but the law that governs the cyberspace which is a computer-generated world or the internet. The users of cyberspace are increasing manifold which in turn leads to the necessity of the law governing these users. Thus cyber law is the law governing the users of computer and internet. With the growth of the Internet and it’s users Indian parliament passed its first cyber law i.e. the Information Technology Act, 2000. The objective of the Act is to validate the computer-based transactions. The Act has introduced and legalized the authentication of the electronic record by a digital signature. Digital signature takes the concept of a paper-based signing and turns it into a fingerprint. The Act has provided for the establishment of a Cyber Appellant Tribunal where an appeal against the orders of the Adjudicating authorities is preferred.
Further, the Act provides for the Offences and the punishments for committing the same, some of them are Hacking, Cyber Terrorism, Child pornography. The passing of Information Technology Act, 2000 compelled a number of amendments in other legislation like the Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act, and Banker’s Book Evidence Act. The Information Technology Act, 2000 has a lot of drawbacks, the applicability of the act has not been clearly defined and it is not being updated and implemented with the growth of the aspects in the cyberspace. Cyber Law is a major necessity in the country with the growth and advancement of technology. Although the Information Technology Act brought a radical change in the country it is not much competition and leaves several aspects untouched.

Number of Attendees: 5
Session II
Topic: Cryptocurrency
Presenters: Shreyas Shetty and Aakash Khatri
Date:- 14/01/2019

This session focused on the basics of cryptocurrency and its impact in the present day.
The highlights of the session along with the breakdown is as follows.

  • Shreyas Shetty took up the introduction, history and types of different cryptocurrencies.
  • In an introduction he gave a brief overview on what cryptocurrencies are and why they are important.
  • In History, he spoke about the origins of the of cryptocurrencies and how they had multiple booms with rates that skyrocketed at specific intervals.
  • Information was provided on Satoshi Nakamoto as well a brief overview on attempts at creating a digital currency in the past that had failed.

The next part of the session was taken by Aakash Khatri.

  • This part dealt with the mechanics and algorithm behind the functioning of cryptocurrencies and explained how blockchain technology is used to mine cryptocurrencies.
  • How cryptocurrencies pools are created and how would one ideally acquire them in India due to its ban by the RBI.
  • Various potential uses were discussed which included positive as well as negatives like:
    • Its use to buy illegal drugs and weapons.
    • Positive uses like privacy in transactions to avoid data theft and cyber crimes.
  • The topic of it’s legality in the spectrum of the world and its status quo in India was explored in detail with specific regard to its’ status as not a valid tender that can be used to exchange goods and services as well RBIs’ ban on cryptocurrencies due to its’ unregulated nature as well as the various stances the courts have taken regarding the same and the delayed hearings extended to January 2019.

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Number of Attendees: 10.
Session III
Topic: Cybercrimes And the Applicability of IPC to the same.
Presenters: Mayura Joshi III BA. LL.B.
Date:- 30/01/2019

Definition of cybercrime not expressly provided in any statute. It can be defined as –
What–Offence
Whom–against individuals or a group of individuals
Why – to harm reputation of individual or cause physical or mental harm and loss
How – using modern telecommunication networks, internet, mobile, computer.
Classification of cybercrimes based on purpose of computer –

  • target
  • facilitates the commission of the crime
  • incidental to the crime.

Kinds of Cybercrimes – Hacking, Virus attacks, Phishing, Email bombing, Spamming, Cyberstalking, identity theft, violation of privacy, pornography, sexually explicit content of children, cyber terrorism, copyright infringement. And the relevant sections punishing the same under the ITAA 2008
What to do when a victim of a cybercrime?

  • How to lodge complaints?
  • Cyber cells
  • Online Grievance Redressal System by National Commission of Woman
  • ‘Report’ to social media websites
  • Computer Emergency Response Team – India

Applicability of IPC
Pertaining to Stalking, Defamation, Outraging the modesty of a woman, cyber terrorism, identity theft- forgery. Extra-territorial nature of cybercrimes and issues pertaining to jurisdiction while lodging complaints and initiating criminal proceedings.

Number of Attendees: 11
Session IV
Topic: Jurisdiction of Cyber Laws
Presenters: Preksha Chand
Date:- 08/02/2019

Principles of Jurisdiction like Territorial, Subjective, Protective, and Universality were covered in this session.

Number of Attendees: 05