Chandigarh cyber cafe owners asked to maintain record of users

In a bid to prevent misuse of internet services, the Chandigarh Administration today issued directions to cyber cafe owners to maintain a record of the users along with their identity proofs.
District Magistrate Ajit Balaji Joshi said a large number of cyber cafes have come up
in Chandigarh which a large number of people visit.
He said anti-social elements, including terrorists, may use these facilities to mislead security and investigation agencies, create panic and endanger security, and aid in terrorist activities.
Exercising the powers under CrPC section 144, Joshi directed cyber cafe owners to strictly comply with the directions and prohibit the use of cyber cafes by persons whose identities have not been established.

He directed them to maintain a register for identity of the user, make an entry in the handwriting of the visitor mentioning name, address, telephone number.

The user shall also sign the register kept for this purpose and their identity shall be established through identity card, voter card, ration card, driving licence, passport and photo credit card, it said.
Activity server log should be preserved in main server with its record should be preserved for at least six months and if any activity of the visitor is suspicious, the owner will inform the police and further said record be maintained about the specific computer used by the person.

This order shall come into force with effect from tomorrow and shall be effective for a period of 60 days upto April 5.