Social media and freedom of expression with special reference to section 66A of information technology act of 2000-India

Social Media is a communication tool where individuals use their right of freedom of expression and thoughts, information and ideas. This research paper tries to critically analyse Section 66A amendment of the Information Technology Act of 2000 of India. 66A is about sending offensive messages through communication services, causing annoyance, through an electronic communication or sending an email to mislead or deceive the recipient about the origin of such messages (commonly known as IP or email spoofing) are all covered under this act. Punishment for this act is imprisonment upto three years or fine. This paper identified all the cases and analyzed how it was grossly misused by the executive. It observed how the netizens of the country were offended by the misuse of this Section. Article 19 (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution states that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. Freedom of Speech and expression means the right to express one's own convictions and opinions freely by word of mouth, writing, printing, pictures or any other mode. It thus includes the expression of one's idea through any communicable medium or visible representation, such as gesture, signs, and the like. This expression connotes also publication and thus the freedom of press is included in this category.