Information Technology(IT) Act, 2000 | 14 Oct 2025

Source: PIB

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) organised a national workshop to streamline the issuance of notices under Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, ensuring legal clarity and constitutional balance in regulating content on digital platforms.  

IT Act, 2000 

• About: The Information Technology Act, 2000, is the primary legislation in India governing cyber activities, including electronic commerce, digital signatures, and cybercrimes. 
• Key Features: 
  • Legitimizes electronic records and digital signatures. 
  • Establishes CERT-In as a nodal agency for cybersecurity. 
  • Defines responsibilities of intermediaries (e.g., social media platforms). 
  • Enables formation of the Appellate Tribunal for dispute resolution. 
• Key Provisions: 
  • Section 69A: Empowers the government to block public access to any information through any computer resource if it threatens national security, public order, or relations with foreign states. 
  • Section 79: Grants safe harbour protection to intermediaries, shielding them from liability for user-generated content. 
  • Section 79(3)(b): Removes safe harbour protection if an intermediary fails to block/remove unlawful content upon government notification. 
  • Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021: Specifies the due diligence to be observed by intermediaries, including the requirement to remove or disable access to unlawful information upon receiving actual knowledge. 
  • Section 66A: The Supreme Court, in the landmark case Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India(2015), struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, 2000. The Court held the provision "vague" and "unconstitutional", stating it imposed arbitrary restrictions on freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a). 
• Importance: 
  • These provisions are central to balancing state regulation, user rights, and platform responsibilities in India’s digital ecosystem.