Examining The Role Of Internet Service Providers In Cyberspace: A Comparative Analysis Of The Current Legal Landscape In India And The USA

Abstract

Since the invention of the internet, people have been able to interact, relate, and communicate in a virtual environment known as cyberspace. Data that can be published, used, and discarded online powers the cyberspace environment. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is an enterprise that offers internet connection, commonly called as ISP. Access can be obtained by cable, wireless, and fiber-optic connections, among other methods offered by ISPs. Although ISPs can offer a wide range of additional services, their main offering is internet connection. These may consist of email access, tech support to their customers, etc. Since their early days of providing dial-up internet service, they have advanced significantly. And this drastic shift and advancement in technology is raising questions regarding security and accountability. The infrastructural network, the transport system, and the gateway of cyberspace are the ISPs. The need for procedures to verify and regulate the validity, security, and privacy of data increased with the development of the internet and digital consumption. Therefore, this paper attempts to analyze the role of ISPs in cyberspace and the extent of their liability where they can be held accountable. It also puts forth certain suggestions for better regulation of ISPs.