Why Cyber Law Matters: Everyday Lessons from Sree Krishna Saleem’s Cyber Law

 Introduction: Navigating the Digital Maze

In the hyper-connected world of the 2020s, our lives are irrevocably intertwined with digital technology—whether we are attending school online, banking through mobile apps, running remote businesses, or simply sharing family photos on social media. The impact of this digital evolution isn’t abstract; it touches students who face cyberbullying in WhatsApp groups, professionals who get tricked into replying to phishing emails, families struggling to secure their home Wi-Fi, and businesses scrambling after a devastating data breach. With rising threats and growing legal complexity, cyber law has become one of the most profound forces shaping our daily digital experiences in India and across the world.
Yet, for most people, the term “cyber law” conjures images of courtrooms or technical jargon—a field reserved for experts and legal professionals. Sree Krishna Saleem’s book, Cyber Law for a Common Man, flips this notion on its head. With a deep sense of empathy and clarity, Saleem breaks down intimidating concepts, empowers ordinary citizens, and reveals—through real stories and simple, practical guidelines—how cyber law is actually a toolkit for self-protection and responsible participation in the digital age.
This blog draws on the key themes and unique storytelling approach of Saleem’s work. It aims to spark awareness, prompt practical action, and equip readers from every walk of life—students, professionals, families, and businesses—to navigate cyberspace safely, ethically, and confidently.

Overview of Sree Krishna Saleem’s Book: Making Law Your Ally

Cyber Law for a Common Man stands apart from dense legal textbooks. Saleem’s philosophy is that the law is not an intimidating barrier but a “bridge” that empowers everyday decisions—from resolving schoolyard cyberbullying to defending family privacy, countering online scams, or building digitally resilient businesses. More than that, it reminds us that “the more you know, the less you fear.” The book distills legal principles into relatable language, employs emotional storytelling to cement key lessons, and covers the rapidly evolving Indian and global regulatory landscape—making complex cyber laws digestible even for readers with no legal background.
Notably, Saleem advocates for knowledge-driven empowerment: his book is activism wrapped in narrative. It draws on real-life Indian case studies, demystifies legal rights and responsibilities, and provides step-by-step action guides for reporting cybercrime, protecting digital identities, and fostering responsible online behavior.

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Key features include:

• Gripping real-life stories: From school bullying to corporate data leaks.
• Practical legal guidance: How to recognize and avoid scams, report incidents, and understand your rights and duties as a digital citizen.
• Up-to-date coverage: Inclusion of recent legislative changes—from the IT Act, 2000 and its amendments to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• Global and ethical context: Relates concepts to international frameworks like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and principles of digital human rights.

Digital Rights: What They Are and Why They Matter

At its core, digital rights are an extension of fundamental human rights into the online world. They include the right to privacy, the right to access information, freedom of speech, and the autonomy to control personal digital data. In India, the recognition of the right to privacy as a fundamental right in 2017 (the Puttaswamy judgment) placed it on par with other constitutional guarantees, reshaping not only how data is handled but how citizens relate to technology.
Saleem makes this abstract concept real: For a teenager posting on Instagram, digital rights mean the legal power to demand cyberbullying takedowns. For a professional, it’s the right to challenge unauthorized data sharing by an employer. For a family, it’s the expectation that children’s photos aren’t misused by rogue apps. For a small business, it’s the obligation to protect customer data, but also the ability to defend itself from malicious hacking. Digital rights are everyone’s rights.
Globally, digital rights are increasingly seen as essential to citizenship—recognized by the United Nations as enablers of democracy, innovation, and sustainable development. They are at the heart of international charters, including the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) Declaration.

Real-Life Story: Students, Digital Rights, and Cyberbullying

Several shocking cases in India have brought the importance of digital rights home for students. For example: a teenager is excluded from class WhatsApp groups, then mocked on Instagram for her appearance. The posts multiply, with cruel memes and comments. Her confidence is shattered, schoolwork slips. Only after months of suffering does she get help; counselors and teachers intervene, the content is taken down, and essential support is provided.
This is not just about school discipline. Saleem’s book shows that, under cyber law, students have the right to dignity, the right to privacy, the right to be protected from harassment and defamation—even online. Today, Indian legal protections for such victims range from IT Act provisions to IPC sections (like 354A and 509 for harassment), and support schemes such as cybercrime.gov.in reporting, counseling helplines, and police cyber cells.
A story like this is more than caution—it is a call for digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and awareness of legal remedies, all of which Saleem carefully explains with stepwise actions for students and parents.

Online Safety Best Practices: Prevention for All Ages
Online safety is the first line of cyber defense for every citizen. Saleem’s book bridges the gap between policy and daily practice, detailing how simple routines—such as managing passwords, verifying website authenticity, and recognizing phishing attempts—can dramatically reduce digital risk. CERT-In (the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), under MeitY, publishes regular guidelines that echo the advice found in Saleem’s chapters:

• Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts; enable multi-factor authentication.
• Update devices and software regularly to patch vulnerabilities.
• Be wary of unsolicited links and attachments in emails or messages.
• Practice cautious sharing on social media; restrict public access to sensitive information.
• Secure home Wi-Fi networks with strong encryption and changed default credentials.
• Report suspicious emails or activities to designated authorities, such as CERT-In or police cyber cells.

Real-Life Story: Professionals and Phishing
Picture a diligent IT administrator at a midsize firm. One morning, he receives an email from what appears to be the company’s compliance platform—“Your account is scheduled for deletion. Login immediately.” Although the branding is minimal, the tone and urgency feel legitimate. Without thinking, he clicks, enters his credentials, and inadvertently exposes the company’s data to attackers. Fortunately, anomaly detection kicks in, and prompt response prevents a major breach.
Saleem dissects such scenarios, revealing how phishing preys on trust and urgency—a lesson reinforced by practical advice and emotional stories. The Indian IT Act provides for criminal penalties for such fraud under Sections 66C (identity theft) and 66D (cheating by personation). CERT-In regularly issues alerts and advisories to help professionals recognize and report these tricks.
Phishing remains one of the leading threats to Indian businesses and employees. Recent CERT-In advisories, as well as MeitY campaigns, urge all organizations to conduct phishing awareness training—often using storytelling and simulations, much like Saleem advocates.

Cybercrime Prevention: Community, Technology, and Law
As India digitizes at breakneck speed, the scale and variety of cybercrime have exploded. Cyberbullying, identity theft, ransomware, sextortion, fake news, and financial scams are no longer rare anomalies—they are daily hazards encountered by ordinary families and corporations alike.
The IT Act, 2000, and its amendments lay out penalties and remedies for a spectrum of computer-related offenses, including:

• Unauthorized access, hacking, data theft (Section 66)
• Identity theft (Section 66C), password theft, and online impersonation
• Financial frauds, phishing (Section 66D)
• Violation of privacy (Section 66E)
• Publication of obscene or sexually explicit content (Section 67, 67A, 67B)
• Cyber terrorism, ransomware (Section 66F)
• Breach of confidentiality by service providers (Section 72A)
• Government power to intercept or block illegal content (Section 69A) From a prevention perspective, Saleem’s book emphasizes individual and organizational vigilance—backed by law and institutional support.

Real-Life Example: Families and Home Network Security
For many Indian households, home Wi-Fi is the backbone of daily life. Yet default passwords, outdated devices, and a lack of parental controls can open doors to hackers, scammers, and even illegal activities conducted through your home connection. Saleem recounts a family’s shock upon finding their bank details compromised due to an insecure router—a cautionary tale repeated in urban and rural homes alike.
Drawing on CERT-In’s advice and cyber law provisions, Saleem prescribes clear steps: Change default passwords, enable the strongest encryption (WPA2/WPA3), update firmware, use guest networks for visitors, and disable unnecessary remote access features. For digital parents, using parental controls and educating children about privacy, scams, and cyberbullying is vital.

The Role of MeitY, CERT-In, and Other Regulators

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the apex policymaker for digital law, governing everything from cybercrime to e-governance and data privacy. It coordinates with sectoral regulators (e.g., RBI for banking security, SEBI for stock market cyber resilience), courts, and the new Data Protection Board.
CERT-In is the national technical agency for incident reporting, threat advisory, and cybersecurity policy enforcement. It issues guidelines on everything from ransomware prevention for businesses to safe e-shopping—guidelines that Saleem’s book renders accessible even for non-experts.

Privacy and Freedom of Expression: The Heart of Cyber Law
Digital privacy is not a luxury—it is a daily right and a legal obligation. From the Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy verdict to the latest DPDP Act, citizens now have far more control over their personal data, with clear rights to consent, correction, deletion, and redressal.
Saleem frames privacy in everyday terms: the right NOT to have a child’s photos scraped by strangers, a professional’s job search history leaked, or a family’s UPI transactions profiled without adequate safeguards. The DPDP Act strengthens this: mandating clear consent, restricting non-essential data collection, and introducing higher safeguards for children’s data and for sensitive platforms (Significant Data Fiduciaries).
Freedom of expression, another digital right, is protected—but not absolute. Saleem’s stories reveal the fine line between debate and digital harassment; advocacy and online threat. The legal system, influenced by UN conventions and India’s own constitutional values, balances individual liberty with ethical boundaries and public order.

Ethics in Cyberspace: Building a Culture of Responsibility
Cyber law alone cannot compel ethical behavior; culture, awareness, and individual choices are equally pivotal. Saleem devotes chapters to ethical online behavior, drawing on classic principles (honesty, respect, responsibility) and modern realities (avoiding doxxing, respecting copyright, practicing digital empathy).
**Guidelines from the Book (echoed by MeitY and global best practices):

• Always verify before forwarding sensitive information.
• Respect others’ privacy—never share photos, messages, or videos without consent.
• Be mindful of tone—what feels like a joke offline may be harassment online.
• Stand up to bullies, but report rather than retaliate; digital footprints are forever.
• Support inclusion, accessibility, and digital literacy for all community members.** Codes of ethics—whether for students, professionals, or businesses—complement laws, instill trust, and foster safer digital communities.

The Role of Emotional Storytelling in Cyber Awareness
Why does Saleem’s message stick? Because emotion is the ultimate educator. From parental grief over a bullied child’s despair to the anxiety of a professional caught in a phishing scheme, Saleem’s stories evoke empathy, prompt self-reflection, and offer hope for transformation.
Storytelling in security training and public awareness campaigns is scientifically proven to boost engagement and behavior change: lessons told through stories are remembered longer, acted on more reliably, and inspire “secondhand experience” that protects even those who have never suffered a breach.

The DPDP Act, 2023 and Compliance: What Families and Businesses Need to Know
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is a game-changer for digital privacy, setting stringent consent protocols, data breach notification obligations, and massive fines for violations.
Main Principles:

• User-centric consent: Freely given, informed, and granular consent must be obtained before personal data processing.
• Data minimization: Only data necessary for specified purposes may be collected.
• Parental controls for minors: No behavioral profiling or targeted ads to children under 18 without parental consent.
• Breach notification: Both authorities and users must be informed rapidly, with defined timelines (DPDP: 72 hours for user notification; CERT-In: 6 hours for critical incidents).
• Rights to access, correction, deletion, and redressal.
• Significant Data Fiduciaries (large platforms) must appoint Data Protection Officers (DPOs), conduct audits, and undertake impact assessments.
• Small businesses (SMEs) have scaled-down requirements, but no one is exempt from basic obligations like consent and security.

Compliance Is Not Just for Big Tech
Saleem’s work is especially resonant for small businesses—boutiques collecting customer info, local gyms managing memberships, or family-run hotels storing guest data. They face unique challenges, such as lack of legal staff or IT experts. The law provides certain simplifications for startups and SMEs but still requires visible action plans, user-friendly privacy notices, and clear breach protocols. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to ₹250 crore and, more importantly, loss of customer trust.

Global Context: UN SDGs and Digital Governance
India’s approach to cyber law and digital governance is not happening in a vacuum. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) place digital inclusion, justice, and human rights at the center of global progress. The UN Secretary-General’s “Global Digital Compact” and e-government policies call for:

• Universal, affordable internet access
• Strong privacy protections and data accountability
• Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and public safety
• Digital literacy and empowerment, especially for women, youth, and marginalized groups
• Ethical, rights-based AI and digital innovation。 By aligning with these norms, India’s evolving cyber legal ecosystem fulfills not just local but international responsibilities, ensuring digital advances are an engine of sustainable, rights-based development.

Everyday Empowerment: How the Book Simplifies and Activate
Cyber Law for a Common Man is more than theory—it’s a toolkit for daily digital survival. It simplifies legalese with stepwise checklists, myth-busting Q&As, and citizen-centric guidance, including:

• How to file a cybercrime complaint: Via police cyber cells, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), or I4C (helpline 1930).
• What to do in case of breach or defamation: Immediate reporting, digital evidence preservation, legal routes, support helplines.
• Protecting children and elders: Practical digital parenting and scam prevention tips.
• Business data protection: From employee training and audits (now mandatory under CERT-In 2025 guidelines) to vendor management and incident sharing.
• Building a family culture of online safety: Open conversations, collective password management, and regular digital check-ins.

Emotional Storytelling: Changing Mindsets, Building Resilience
Perhaps the most striking power of Saleem’s approach is its emotional resonance. Readers are not simply given checklists—they are drawn into relatable stories of hurt and triumph, fear and recovery. These narratives drive home the message that legal empowerment is not the preserve of lawyers or the rich, but a survival skill and a civic duty for every Indian.

Conclusion: Cyber Law is Everyone’s Business
In an era where our joys, livelihoods, and even identities traverse cyberspace, cyber law is not optional—it is essential. Sree Krishna Saleem’s Cyber Law for a Common Man offers a compassionate, practical, and urgently relevant guide for students, professionals, families, and business owners. It reveals, through law and storytelling, how each of us can claim our digital rights, fulfill our ethical duties, and build a safer, freer, and more inclusive digital India.
As the legal landscape evolves, one truth endures: awareness is the bedrock of digital resilience. Let us embrace the lessons, challenge complacency, and—armed with Saleem’s clarity—become not just survivors, but stewards, of the digital world.