Information Technology Act Section 72A — Punishment for disclosure of information in breach of lawful contract
CHAPTER XI OFFENCES
Cyber Law
Summary
This section applies unless another part of this Act or any other current law says something different. It covers any person, including an intermediary, who has obtained access to material containing personal information about someone else while providing services under a lawful contract.
If that person then discloses such material to another person without the consent of the person concerned, or in breach of the lawful contract, and does so with the intent to cause, or knowing that they are likely to cause, wrongful loss or wrongful gain, they can be punished. The punishment is imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to five lakh rupees, or both.
Official Text
Save as otherwise provided in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, any person including an intermediary who, while providing services under the terms of lawful contract, has secured access to any material containing personal information about another person, with the intent to cause or knowing that he is likely to cause wrongful loss or wrongful gain discloses, without the consent of the person concerned, or in breach of a lawful contract, such material to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees, or with both.]