Nasscom to form new self-regulatory body

By agencies   |   Friday, 02 September 2005, 19:30 IST   |    14 Comments
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NEW DELHI: The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) has said that there was a need to enforce the provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act and that it was "reasonably happy" with the amendments proposed by a government-appointed panel against rising IT-related crimes. Sunil Mehta, Vice-President, Nasscom, said that the industry body was going ahead with its plan to form a self-regulatory body comprising IT and BPO companies to ensure that the industry adhered to the highest moral practices. "The members of the body would join on a voluntary basis, all of whom would agree to taking measures on data protection and related matters. To be run by an independent expert, it would be given final shape within three months," he said. The member-firms would impart training to small and mid-sized IT firms, Mehta said, while maintaining that most BPO companies in the country had good data protection standards. Nasscom is also making efforts to train law-enforcing authorities dealing with cyber crimes. Its cyber crime investigation cell has, so far, imparted lessons to 800 police officers in Mumbai and Thane. "We would shortly be giving similar classes in Gurgaon where the local police has evinced keen interest in our endeavor," he said. Commenting on the recommendations of the expert committee that was set up to review the IT Act, Nasscom said that it had attempted to cover all the conceivable crimes through use of technology. However, Mehta said that the industry "did not wish to be euphoric, since it is not possible to have completely covered all crimes since no one is sure about the specific acts of crimes in future." Nasscom has suggested that there was a need for a review of the IT Act every 2-3 years to assess that the existing provisions take into account the latest technology and the new kind of crimes.

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