Section 79: Exemption from liability of intermediary in certain cases

1. Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3), an intermediary shall not be liable for any third party information, data, or communication link hosted by him. (Corrected Vide ITAA 2008)
2. The provisions of sub-section (1), shall apply if-
   1. The function of the intermediary is limited to providing access to a communication system over which information made available by third parties is transmitted or temporarily stored, or
   2. The intermediary does not-
      1. Initiate the transmission,
      2. Select the receiver of the transmission, and
      3. Select or modify the information contained in the transmission
   3. The intermediary observes due diligence while discharging his duties under this Act and also observes such other guidelines  as the Central Government may prescribed in this behalf (Inserted Vide ITAA 2008)
3. The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply if-
   1. The intermediary has conspired or aided or induced whether by threats or promise or otherwise in the commission of the unlawful act (ITAA 2008)
   2. Upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being noticed by the appropriate Government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner.

Explanation:- For the purpose of this section, the expression “third party information” means any information dealt with by an intermediary in his capacity as an intermediary.