When the first few cars were invented, Americans were wary of using them and called their loud, chugging noise as they embark the streets, a nuisance. When the concept of a machine was thought up, that could transport people through the skies just like the birds that they only could look at with envy because these animals could fly, man thought it was just a dream, a passing fancy. When money was invented, no one would have thought how vast its development would be that it permeates every person’s life day by day.
Now, we see cars, airplanes and money as nothing extraordinary, as natural a part of our world as the trees and flowers that line our streets. They have changed the world in ways that man has never imagined and has opened doors and opportunities that have bettered the lives of a great many.
But then, every innovation comes with it a set of new problems in tow. As technology became more and more sophisticated, so did man’s tactics (so as he would benefit in the end) became increasingly intricate. Upon recognition of such occurrences, the government has enacted measures and passed laws for the people’s protection. Before, man knew only cars, airplanes and money. Later on, they also understood carjacking, hijacking and faking of money.
It is the same with the computer technology that has transformed the world with this massive force at a breakneck speed. It has linked millions and millions of people and information became so accessible for all that one could not help but feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of new things to read about and learn. And who would have thought that a couple of years ago, a small machine that a certain college dropout assembled in his home would invent a machine wherein you can order and buy a book from someone from the other side of the globe with just a touch of your fingertips? Yes, it is possible, some of us even use it everyday as if it was nothing.
However, as stated earlier, technology is a double-edged sword. It can bring comfort as well as complications. As users try to get used to its ins and outs, there are also those who master techniques to it for their personal gain, without due regard to others.
It has taken longer than it should but it is for the above reason that the E-Commerce Act was passed. A lot of business transactions are being done electronically. It has made the process faster and easier. Businesses are saving a lot of time and money and are becoming more efficient in bookkeeping. But then, such systems that they rely so much on in their operations are not completely safe from tampering by people who are not part of the company.
Under the said act, new crimes surface: hacking and piracy (E-commerce Act, Section 33). New rights are also recognized in it such as intellectual property rights. It was about time since this technology definitely holds vital information that could affect a lot of people’s lives, thus, the need for its protection.
Mankind has certainly done a lot. Through ingenuity, smarts and the sharing of knowledge and discoveries, they have invented cars, airplanes, and yes, computers, that have changed the lives of people as they knew it. As gleaned earlier, such phenomenon has its negative aspects, too. These cannot be eradicated- it comes with the whole package, so to speak. And the law has a vital role to play in that.
There are still a lot of ‘kinks’ to the said law that must be studied further apart from the example above, and more situations to be taken into consideration. It is good that we actually have this law, but as more types of computer devices and technology come in, our laws must adapt with them.
Through experience, through time, man has learned, adapted, made and implemented laws to curtail these from happening, all more specific and stringent as time went on. Such must be the same with the E-Commerce Act. Technology has definitely made an impact on all our lives, a lot of which, for the better ( In Rules of Electronic Evidence, electronic documents are given recognition in Courts as valid evidence, facilitating the ascertaining of facts and circumstances of cases for a speedier, more efficient and accurate process in the justice system). To make man’s life easier is the essence of how these new technologies are there in the first place. Thus, our laws, which are made and enforced to protect people’s rights and lives, must be geared and fashioned in such a way towards the same goal.
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