Smarter Ways To Fight Cyber Crime Needed

The Information Technology Bill, 1999, has evoked mixed reaction from the Indian IT industry.

Industry chambers have said though the Bill provided a framework for e-commerce in India, the government should have come out with smarter ways to combat cyber crime.

"The government should not try to deal with these new age crimes with draconian laws, instead they should come out with smarter ways to combat cyber crime," said angel and venture investor Saurabh Srivastava.

"To draft these recommendations, the government should take feedback from agencies which are capable of dealing with these issues, and not from a police agency which does not have the experience," he pointed out.

 

The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has welcomed the Bill.

According to Nasscom president Dewang Mehta, "We feel

that the IT Bill 1999 is very

well-drafted and would facilitate e-commerce revolution in the country. We do welcome this quick report from the committee. We are also happy that the committee has made minimal alterations and provided some positive modifications."

He also welcomed the government's decision to drop the amendments to Clause 73 of the Bill. Nasscom was very critical of the amendments made by the committee.