Concept of E-Governance (cyber law notes chapter-10)

CONCEPT OF E-GOVERNANCE:

Definition: E-governance, which expands to electronic governance, is the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all the processes, with the aim of enhancing the government's ability to address the needs of the general public. The basic purpose of e-governance is to simplify processes for all, i.e. government, citizens, businesses, etc. at the National, State and local levels.

In short, it is the use of electronic means, to promote good governance. It connotes the implementation of information technology in the government processes and functions so as to cause simple, moral, accountable and transparent governance. It entails the access and delivery of government services, dissemination of information, and communication in a quick and efficient manner.

Benefits of E-governance

1. ·        Reduced corruption
2. ·        High transparency
3. ·        Increased convenience
4. ·        Growth in GDP
5. ·        Direct participation of constituents
6. ·        Reduction in overall cost.
7. ·        Expanded reach of government

Through e-governance, the government plans to raise the coverage and quality of information and services provided to the general public, by the use of ICT in an easy, economical and effective manner. The process is extremely complicated and requires, the proper arrangement of hardware, software, networking and indeed re-engineering of all the processes to facilitate better delivery of services.

Types of Interactions in E-Governance

1. G2G (Government to Government): When the exchange of information and services is within the periphery of the government, is termed as G2G interaction. This can be both horizontal, i.e. among various government entities and vertical, i.e. between national, state and local government entities and within different levels of the entity.

2. G2C (Government to Citizen): The interaction amidst the government and the general public is G2C interaction. Here an interface is set up between government and citizens, which enables citizens to get access to wide variety of public services. The citizens has the freedom to share their views and grievances on government policies anytime, anywhere.

3. G2B (Government to Business): In this case, e-governance helps the business class to interact with the government seamlessly. It aims at eliminating red-tapism, saving time, and cost, and establishing transparency in the business environment while interacting with the government.

4. G2E (Government to Employees): The government of any country is the biggest employer and so it also deals with employees on a regular basis, as other employers do. ICT helps in making the interaction between government and employees fast and efficient, along with raising their level of satisfaction by providing perquisites and add-on benefits.

E-governance can only be possible if the government is ready for it. It is not a one-day task, and so the government has to make plans and implement them before switching to it. Some of the measures include Investment in telecommunication infrastructure, budget resources, ensuring security, monitoring assessment, internet connection speed, promoting awareness among the public regarding the importance, support from all government departments and so forth

E-governance has a great role to play, that improves and supports all tasks performed by the government department and agencies because it simplifies the task on the one hand and increases the quality of work on the other.

PRIVACY & LEGAL ISSUES IN INE-COMMERCE & E-GOVERNANCE:

There are various legal issues associated with E-Commerce businesses as well. And if these issues are not taken care of in time, they can lead to serious problems for your business.

Described below are some of the common legal issues an e-commerce business faces.

Incorporation Problem

If you are a company operated merely via a website, not being incorporated is a crucial problem. Any purchase and selling activity related to your products Will be considered illegal and you can't claim your right in case of any fraud and corruption. Without incorporation, your business has no shelter.

Trademark Security Problem

Not getting your trademark protected is one of the main legal issues in the field of e-commerce. Since a trademark is. your company's logo and symbol, the representation of your business all over the web, it must be protected. If you don't secure it, it won't take long before you'll realize your trademark is being infringed upon. This is a very common legal issue and can become a deadly threat to your e-business.

With the hackers on the loose and cybercrime so common, trademark infringement of your business or by your business can be a serious legal matter and may hinder your business's progress.

Copyright Protection Issue

While publishing content for your e-commerce website, using the content of any other company can be a severe legal problem. This might mark an end to your e-business. There are many sites online which are royalty-free and allow you to access their content and images. You may use those sites for creating web content for your business site.

Even if you unintentionally used copyrighted content, the other party can easily Sue your business.

Transaction Issues

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) governs all e-commerce transactions in Australia. Therefore, if you do not abide by the rules, you can get into serious law violation problems.

If your business fails to provide a clear and complete description of the product, cost and purchase details, information about delivery i.e. when the customer will receive products and other information related to exchange and refunds, the ACL can impose penalties on your business.

Privacy Issues

When it comes to online businesses, privacy is the major issue that can create problems both for the business and customers. Consumers share information with businesses online and they expect the sellers to keep their information confidential. By just one minor mistake and leakage of valuable information of a customer, you’ not only lose your potential customer but your image and reputation will become a question mark. Moreover, you'll be subjected to serious legal problems according to privacy laws.