Public Section Preview
Cyber Crime in Modern Society
6.1 Definition and Scale
Cyber crime = Any criminal activity involving computers, digital networks, or the internet. Covers financial fraud, data theft, hacking, cyberbullying, online harassment, cyber terrorism, child pornography.
India's cyber crime landscape (NCRB 2022):
- 65,893 cyber crime cases — highest ever; 24.4% increase over 2021.
- Top states: Uttar Pradesh (11,097), Rajasthan (7,233), Maharashtra (6,317).
- Top categories: OTP fraud (54% of financial cybercrime), fake customer care numbers, social media fraud.
- Financial losses: ₹6,000 crore in online financial fraud reported to RBI (2022).
- Helpline: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — 1930 (dedicated cyber crime helpline, launched 2021).
6.2 Major Types of Cyber Crime
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phishing | Fake websites/emails to steal credentials | Fake bank login pages |
| Vishing | Phone calls impersonating officials/banks | Fake KYC calls requesting OTP |
| Smishing | SMS-based fraud links | Fake prize/lottery SMS |
| Identity theft | Stealing personal data to impersonate | Aadhaar/PAN misuse |
| Ransomware | Malware encrypting data, demanding payment | AIIMS Delhi attacked Nov 2022 |
| Cyberbullying | Harassment via digital platforms | Online shaming of minors |
| Sexting/revenge porn | Non-consensual sharing of intimate images | IT Act Sec 67A applies |
| Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) | Child exploitation online | POCSO + IT Act 67B |
| Cyber terrorism | Attacks on critical infrastructure | Power grid attacks |
6.3 Legal Framework for Cyber Crime
Primary law: IT Act, 2000 (amended 2008):
| Section | Offence | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| 66C | Identity theft (dishonest use of electronic signature/password) | 3 years + ₹1 lakh fine |
| 66D | Cheating by impersonation using computer resource | 3 years + ₹1 lakh fine |
| 66E | Violating privacy (publishing private images without consent) | 3 years + ₹2 lakh fine |
| 67 | Publishing obscene material in electronic form | 3 years + ₹5 lakh fine (1st offence) |
| 67A | Publishing sexually explicit material online | 5 years + ₹10 lakh (1st offence) |
| 67B | Publishing CSAM (child abuse material) | 5 years + ₹10 lakh (1st offence) |
| 70 | Hacking into protected computer systems | 10 years + fine |
Note: Section 66A (punishment for offensive online messages) was struck down by Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) as unconstitutional — violated Article 19(1)(a) — freedom of speech.
New law: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (effective July 2024): Replaced IPC; includes cyber crime provisions. Also: Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — protects personal data online.
6.4 Institutions Fighting Cyber Crime
- Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Under MeitY; India's national nodal agency for cyber security (established 2004).
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in): Report all cyber crimes online.
- Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Under MHA; coordinates multi-state cyber crime investigation.
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): Protects critical infrastructure (power, banking, telecom).
- Rajasthan: Rajasthan Police's Cyber Crime Cell in Jaipur handles state-level cases.