<p> “For local jurisdiction there are problems on account of the structure of the flow of information over the Internet. End users can fake identities using proxy servers to misguide the investigating agencies.<br /><br />The government can place ban on websites that exclusively circulate pornography and hate speeches,” Justice Balakrishnan said here.<br /><br />But the CJI said it would not be right to place a blanket ban on all categories of websites. “It is also important to distinguish between intermediaries such as network service providers, website operators and individual users for the purpose of placing liabilities,” he pointed out.<br /><br />Justice Balakrishnan made the suggestion while inaugurating the Cyber Law Enforcement Programme and National Consultation Meeting, a seminar organised by the Supreme Court.<br /><br />Proposal<br /><br />Indicating that the Centre might amend the RTI Act, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily later told reporters that “there is some proposal being contemplated.<br /><br />“It is in comparison to other judiciaries in the world. But it has nothing to do with the Delhi High Court judgment. It is independent of it”. Moily said the matter would be looked into by the Department of Personnel and Training which deals with the implementation of the Act.<br /><br />Justice Balakrishnan expressed fears that judges had set themselves up as targets of hackers since they had ended up mentioning their bank account details which they had put up on the Supreme Court website. “When the Supreme Court judges declared their assets on the website, many of them also cited their account numbers as well,” the chief justice said.<br /><br />The folly was realised when some citizens wrote back to them, pointing out the possibilities of the misuse of the bank account numbers by unscrupulous elements, he added.<br /><br />“After a few days I got a letter from someone suggesting me that I should immediately remove the account number of judges from the website or the hackers will do their work,” Balakrishnan said, adding it was only then they became aware “how a small mistake of ours could land us in trouble”.<br /><br />The chief justice said the expanding reach of computers and the Internet has made it easier for people to keep in touch across long distances and collaborate for purposes related to business, education and culture, among others.<br /><br />“Any technology is capable of beneficial uses as well as misuse. It is the job of the legal system and regulatory agencies to keep pace with the same and ensure that newer technologies do not become tools of exploitation and harassment,” he said.<br /></p>
<p> “For local jurisdiction there are problems on account of the structure of the flow of information over the Internet. End users can fake identities using proxy servers to misguide the investigating agencies.<br /><br />The government can place ban on websites that exclusively circulate pornography and hate speeches,” Justice Balakrishnan said here.<br /><br />But the CJI said it would not be right to place a blanket ban on all categories of websites. “It is also important to distinguish between intermediaries such as network service providers, website operators and individual users for the purpose of placing liabilities,” he pointed out.<br /><br />Justice Balakrishnan made the suggestion while inaugurating the Cyber Law Enforcement Programme and National Consultation Meeting, a seminar organised by the Supreme Court.<br /><br />Proposal<br /><br />Indicating that the Centre might amend the RTI Act, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily later told reporters that “there is some proposal being contemplated.<br /><br />“It is in comparison to other judiciaries in the world. But it has nothing to do with the Delhi High Court judgment. It is independent of it”. Moily said the matter would be looked into by the Department of Personnel and Training which deals with the implementation of the Act.<br /><br />Justice Balakrishnan expressed fears that judges had set themselves up as targets of hackers since they had ended up mentioning their bank account details which they had put up on the Supreme Court website. “When the Supreme Court judges declared their assets on the website, many of them also cited their account numbers as well,” the chief justice said.<br /><br />The folly was realised when some citizens wrote back to them, pointing out the possibilities of the misuse of the bank account numbers by unscrupulous elements, he added.<br /><br />“After a few days I got a letter from someone suggesting me that I should immediately remove the account number of judges from the website or the hackers will do their work,” Balakrishnan said, adding it was only then they became aware “how a small mistake of ours could land us in trouble”.<br /><br />The chief justice said the expanding reach of computers and the Internet has made it easier for people to keep in touch across long distances and collaborate for purposes related to business, education and culture, among others.<br /><br />“Any technology is capable of beneficial uses as well as misuse. It is the job of the legal system and regulatory agencies to keep pace with the same and ensure that newer technologies do not become tools of exploitation and harassment,” he said.<br /></p>
