The internet provides numerous opportunities, but it also poses some risks:

1. ID Theft: Cybercriminals use sophisticated strategies to acquire personal information such as bank account numbers and login credentials, resulting in financial losses and fraud.
2. Cyberbullying/Harassment: With the rise of social media, cyberbullying has become a big worry, causing emotional distress and occasionally leading in legal action.
3. Phishing scams: Fraudulent emails and websites lure users into disclosing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details.
4. Data breaches: Hackers attack businesses to steal personal information that can be misused or sold.
5. Online fraud and scams: Scams abound on the internet, including fraudulent employment offers, investment schemes, and counterfeit e-commerce sites, which cause financial and reputational damage.

To counteract the increasing hazards of cybercrime and online threats, numerous countries have adopted legal frameworks to protect internet users:

1. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) of India

India’s IT Act governs internet activities such as cybercrime and electronic commerce. It legalises electronic records and digital signatures while also prohibiting hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, and the exploitation of private data. Notable portions include:

Section 66: Addresses computer-related crimes such as hacking and data leaks.

Section 66C: Focuses on identity theft, specifically the misuse of passwords and personal information.

Section 66E: Makes it illegal to collect or share private photographs and recordings without consent.

2. The Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB) for 2019

Although still being reviewed, the PDPB intends to protect personal data in India. Once implemented, it will govern data collection, storage, and processing, protecting privacy and imposing consequences for noncompliance.

3. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), European Union

The GDPR controls the management of personal data in the EU. It gives individuals the ability to access, amend, or delete their data, demands express consent for data collecting, and ensures that organisations notify users of data breaches.

4. The Cybersecurity Act of 2018 (Singapore)

The Cybersecurity Act requires the protection of vital infrastructure and allows Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency to manage incident response and resilience initiatives. Its primary focus is infrastructure security and regulatory control, whereas the Computer Misuse Act (1993) governs criminal punishment.

5. The Communications Decency Act (CDA), United States

The CDA provides legal protection to internet service providers against responsibility for third-party content. It also includes regulations to prevent online harassment, cyberstalking, and child exploitation.