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Digital Arrests: A Growing Threat in India’s Digital Landscape

As India continues to march towards becoming a digital powerhouse, the nation is also facing a complex array of challenges in the digital space. One of the most pressing concerns is the rise of digital arrests, which are often a result of sophisticated cybercrime. Recently, a cyber fraudster was arrested for duping an IIT student of INR 4.3 lakhs by placing him under digital arrest. The scammer then converted the extracted amount to cryptocurrency before sending it to Chinese fraudsters he was working with.

This has highlighted the ease with which such frauds can be perpetrated and the ease with which money can be moved internationally, blurring the lines between personal safety and national security. On Safer Internet Day, it is essential to ask why cybercrime is prevalent in India, despite numerous regulations, and what can be done to prevent it.

Inclusive and Accessible Internet for All

India’s digital growth, fueled by initiatives like UPI, JAM trinity, Aadhaar, and the CoWIN App, makes the importance of online safety and security more pressing than ever. The recent surge in digital arrest cases has necessitated urgent attention. Alarming instances of victims from all age groups, regardless of their educational or financial backgrounds, have been targeted and financially exploited.

These events underscore the need for greater digital awareness and education about emerging online threats. Users must understand what constitutes lawful online behavior and the consequences of non-compliance. Recent government data reveals stringent action against digital arrest scams, with over 1,700 Skype IDs and 59,000 WhatsApp accounts blocked.

Complex Challenges in India’s Digital Space

Digital arrests are just one aspect of the many complex challenges faced by India’s digital citizens. The nation’s growing digital space is fraught with challenges that threaten online safety, social harmony, and political discourse. Several issues warrant immediate attention, including the growing amount of misinformation in the form of fake news, deep fakes, and artificial, synthetic, and manipulated media, which can have devastating effects.

Preventing Cybercrime and Data Breaches

If left unchecked, these threats can result in erosion of trust in public institutions, social unrest, and disruption of free and fair elections and the overall political discourse. Existing legislations, such as the IT Act, 2000, IT Rules, 2021, Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the DPDP Act 2023, provide some recourse, but the existing framework requires more cohesion and a united approach breaking down silos.

Financial Losses and Data Breaches

Cybercrime incidents, such as financial frauds, phishing scams, and identity theft, have shown a steady increase. According to reports, India witnessed a significant surge in cybercrime, with fraudsters duping individuals of Rs 33,165 crore over the last four years. Globally, the cost of cybercrime is expected to reach USD 11 trillion annually by 2025, up from US$ 3 trillion in 2015.

Threats to Critical Infrastructure

In addition to financial losses, data breaches, cyberattacks, and ransomware attacks pose a significant threat to critical infrastructure and national security. The State of Global Cyber Security 2025 report reveals that India experienced a notable surge in cyber threats, with an average of 3,291 attacks per week. The Healthcare sector was heavily impacted, experiencing 8,614 weekly attacks per organization, significantly higher than the global average of 1,847 attacks per week.

Protecting Our Digital Future

These attacks have devastating consequences, exposing sensitive information and causing substantial financial damage. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity investments, adopting proactive and adaptive strategies to mitigate the risk of breaches and secure sensitive data. We need to humanize these statistics, transforming victims’ faceless identities to real and present dangers.

Safeguarding Our Digital Landscape

As technology evolves, so do the threats to online safety. It’s essential to equip citizens with the right set of knowledge and information to tackle digital threats. Digital literacy and safety programs must be prioritized to ensure citizens are aware of online safety best practices, digital hygiene, and reporting digital threats.

A Holistic Approach

To combat the evolving landscape of online digital threats, a holistic approach is necessary. This includes:

1. Developing clear guidelines and regulations, including transparent and accountable procedures for tackling emerging digital threats.
2. Establishing robust state-level CERTs with continuity in service for a set of officers for decentralized and faster regional responses to cyber threats.
3. Collaborating with independent fact-checking organizations to verify the accuracy of information.
4. Promoting and supporting local media outlets to foster trust and encourage the public to rely on credible sources.
5. Empowering users through robust reporting tools to identify and remove online threats.
6. Leveraging AI-powered detection of harmful online speech and threats, guided by frameworks such as InMobi’s AI SAFE Framework.
7. Fostering public-private partnerships to share threat intelligence, best practices, and resources.
8. Collaborating internationally to share best practices and address global challenges.
9. Preparing for persistent threats with robust incident response plans, complemented by continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities.
10. Conducting security and risk assessments for new products and features that may influence public opinion.
11. Consistently launching initiatives to educate the public on online safety and digital literacy.
12. Collaborating between industry and academia for a more rigorous research approach and response framework for emerging threats.

A Viksit Bharat

As India charts its digitally transformative future, a sustainable approach to online safety requires a balance of enforcement and digital literacy. By fostering a culture of digital corporate responsibility and citizen-centric awareness, India can harness the potential of the internet while safeguarding the rights and dignity of its citizens.

Join the Movement

To achieve this vision, we must adopt a holistic and collaborative approach that incorporates cutting-edge technologies, international cooperation, and community engagement. This approach is designed to ensure that India is well-equipped to tackle emerging digital threats, while avoiding unnecessary restrictions that could deter innovation and technological progress.

On this Safer Internet Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building a digital India, where everyone can harness the power of technology without fear of harm or exploitation.