In a pivotal move to combat India’s cybercrime epidemic, Attorney General R. Venkataramani has submitted a robust set of proposals to the Supreme Court. Focused on the menacing ‘digital arrest’ scams—where victims are virtually detained by fake authorities—the report calls for court-mandated enforcement to plug systemic gaps exploited by fraudsters.
Telecom reforms headline the strategy. Strengthening user ID protocols through biometric checks and the User Identification Rules will standardize SIM issuance under national scrutiny. POS agents’ credentials must be rigorously vetted, with clear accountability chains. A rapid-response system for blacklisting criminal SIMs is proposed, backed by telecom companies’ obligation to supply real-time intel to sleuths.
The Electronics and IT Ministry gets marching orders for platform-level defenses. WhatsApp-style apps need SIM-linked accounts, scam call detectors, and advanced anti-fraud tools akin to Skype. Collaboration with cyber coordination centers and police will intensify, while rogue devices face permanent bans, preventing account resurrection.
Data preservation for deleted profiles—minimum 180 days—ensures evidentiary trails. RBI’s SOP approval will standardize responses: instant debit halts on red-flag accounts, a cohesive anti-fraud architecture nationwide, and clarity amid high court variances.
Broader IT Act tweaks, a swift online grievance portal for cyber violations, and fortified civil penalties for monetary cons round out the vision. This isn’t just policy—it’s a war plan to arm investigators, protect the public, and eviscerate scams, fostering a safer digital India.
