What is Computer Resource

Cybercafés constitute the most important model of public access to Internet, especially in developing countries. They compensate those who temporarily or permanently lack access to the Internet. However, the deeper and the wider penetration of the Internet also increased the opportunities for misuse of technologies. Due to a number of reasons, cybercafés have the huge potential for facilitating a number of crimes, impacting privacy, property, contracts, and even national security. This chapter argues that it is an imperative to regulate these entities as a preventive measure to avert cyber-crimes and terrorism. Drawing the example from India and adopting the legal approach, this chapter captures the legal developments relating to the regulation of cybercafés in India. It is expected to shed valuable insights for other countries contemplating the institutionalization or proposing changes in their regulatory framework. The chapter concludes that a well-orchestrated policy on cybercafés, taking into account the environmental variables of the particular country, is a pre-requisite for the ICT policy of any country.