Section 69 of the IT Act

Section 69 of the IT Act

Subject: Polity

Context: Under the guidelines executives of intermediaries which fail to act on an order issued by the government citing threat to sovereignty or integrity, defence, security of the state or public order, can be jailed for up to a period of seven years under Section 69 of the IT Act.

Concept:

• It empowers the Central or State Government or any other competent authority to direct any agency of the appropriate government to monitor, intercept or decrypt any information transmitted, generated, received or stored in any computer resource in cases related to:
• 2018 notification allowed 10 agencies for interception, monitoring and decryption of information under the section 69 of Information Technology (IT) Act.
• It adds “investigation of crime” along with provisions in Indian Telegraph Act 1885 which allows for interception and monitoring in following 5 cases

1. In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India
2. Security of the State
3. Friendly relations with foreign states
4. To maintain public order
5. Prevent incitement to the commission of an offence