NHRC director calls for strict laws on illegal Internet behavior, cybercrime

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Justice (Retd) Chairman Arun Kumar Mishra on Thursday called for a strict law to deal with “illegal Internet behavior and cybercrime.” He was speaking after the opening ceremony of the 25th All India Forensic Science Conference at the National College of Forensic Sciences in Gandhinagar.

“There is a need to promote cyberethics. And the government needs to have strict legislation to penalize and punish illegal Internet behavior and cybercrime,” said a former Supreme Court judge.

Many countries have modified their laws “in particular to deal with electronic crime along with the introduction of newer types of crime,” he said.

The right to freedom of speech applies to “social media and cyberspace” is not “bigger” than what is granted to individuals or the media, Mishra said.

“The right to freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution is given to the media or to individuals just like the right given to social networks or cyberspace, it is no greater than that… Therefore, it is necessary to there are strict laws to deal with cybercrime. We need to take strict action against misuse,” he said.

The former judge added that cyberspace has been used for human and civil rights violations as well as violations of individual privacy.

“Cyberspace is causing a violation of individuals’ privacy online and infringing on their right to live with dignity. Cybersecurity is key to fighting cybercrime and protecting human rights. Studies Globally, India ranks third in terms of cyber threats and second in targeted attacks,” he said.