Laws-Facebook user must know. Basically Cyber Law is “Law governing Cyber Space”. In India the

Information Technology Act 2000 is the primary law in dealing with

the cybercrimes.

In Today’s world, everyone is very much active on Facebook, but a

single wrong post or comment on Facebook can land us in Jail.

This article is entirely for educative purpose and to make people

aware of Laws related to Facebook in India.

Que. Legal to open a Facebook account in a fake name?

Ans. It is not legal to open a Facebook account in a fake name. It is

a serious offense. It makes the creator liable for 2yrs imprisonment.

Using this fake account to post comment, photos or send friend

request will make the liability to 3yrs in jail.

Punishable laws- Forgery (Section 464 IPC), Sending Offensive

Message (Section 66A IT Act)

Que. Legal to refer to a politician as “corrupt” on Facebook?

Ans. No it is not legal to refer a politician as “corrupt” unless the

politician is found guilty of corruption by a court of law. It could get

someone in jail for up to 3yrs.

Punishable laws- Defamation (Section 499 IPC), Sending Offensive

Message (Section 66A IT Act)

Que. Legal to call someone an “idiot” on Facebook?

Ans. Calling someone “idiot” on Facebook is a serious offense and

it could land someone in jail for up to 3yrs.The dictionary meaning

of “idiot” is “mentally deficient person”.

Punishable laws- Defamation (Section 499 IPC), Sending Offensive

Message (Section 66A IT Act)

Que. Legal to call someone a “fat pig” on Facebook?

Ans. It is a serious offense and could get someone in jail for up to

3yrs.In Indian context “fat pig” is believed to be a person having

loathsome or disgraceful state.

Punishable laws- Defamation (Section 499 IPC), Sending Offensive

Message (Section 66A IT Act)

Que. Legal to post obscene photos / videos on my wall or Page?

Ans. No, it is not legal to post obscene photos/videos. It is serious

offense and the person posting such content is liable for

imprisonment up to 3yrs.

Punishable laws- Posting obscene photos (Section 67 IT Act),

Posting sexually explicit photos (Section 67A IT Act), Posting

photos depicting children in sexually explicit act (Section 67B IT

Act)

Que. Legal to use abusive language in posts?

Ans. No, it is not legal to use abusive language in posts. It is a

serious offense and the person using such language is liable for

imprisonment up to 3yrs.Even if someone use asterisk marks

instead of words, if the meaning is apparent, the person is

punishable.

Punishable laws- Using abusive language (Section 66A IT Act)

The above mentioned scenarios are few, there are many more. Any

person who uses Facebook irrespective of their age, profession etc

should be made aware of at least this much of legal knowledge.

*Contents are based on my study of Cyber Law (India)*

By- Utkarsh Kumar

UIT-RGPV

CSE-2nd Yr.

utkarsh.hb@gmail.co