Proposed Peca amendments lower jail term from seven to three years

The government has tabled amendments to the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca) in the National Assembly to lower the jail term from seven years to three years for “intentionally disseminating false and fake information”.

The draft of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 proposed changes that include new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information.

It was reported, last month, that the government was planning amendments to the cybercrime laws that include a five-year imprisonment or a fine of Rs1 million for individuals found guilty of deliberately spreading fake news.

According to the previous draft, inciting fear, spreading false information, or disrupting peace through online platforms could lead to severe penalties.

Later, the jail term was prolonged to seven years while the fine was raised to Rs2 million.

However, the latest draft stated: “Whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend upto three years or with fine which may extend to Rs2 million or with both.”

It also proposed the constitution of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority having extensive powers to block or remove online content deemed harmful to public safety or state interests.