The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act 2000) is an Indian law enacted by the Parliament of India to provide legal recognition and a regulatory framework for electronic transactions, digital signatures, and cyber activities. It is the primary legislation in India addressing cybercrime, electronic commerce, and electronic governance. The Act grants legal validity to electronic records and digital signatures, defines various cybercrimes, and prescribes penalties for offenses such as hacking, identity theft, publishing obscene content electronically, and cyber terrorism. It also establishes regulatory authorities like the Controller of Certifying Authorities and a Cyber Appellate Tribunal to resolve related disputes. The Act applies across India and can also prosecute foreign nationals if the crime involves a computer or network located in India

. The IT Act was enacted on 9 June 2000 and came into force on 17 October 2000. It has been amended, notably in 2008, to address emerging cyber threats and introduced provisions for interception of information, cyber terrorism, and stricter penalties for offenses

. Key features include:

• Legal recognition of electronic records and digital signatures.
• Definition and penalization of cybercrimes.
• Regulation of certifying authorities issuing digital certificates.
• Limiting liability of intermediaries like internet service providers if due diligence is observed.
• Facilitating e-governance by enabling electronic filing and record management

Some notable offenses under the Act include hacking (Section 66), publishing obscene electronic content (Section 67), cyber terrorism (Section 66F), and breach of privacy (Section 72), with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment, including life imprisonment for cyber terrorism

. In summary, the IT Act 2000 is the cornerstone legal framework in India for regulating electronic transactions, safeguarding data privacy, and combating cybercrime.