National: Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled a series of impactful measures undertaken by the government to combat cyber fraud and enhance security in the telecom sector.
Speaking on Tuesday, Scindia highlighted initiatives that have thwarted fraud amounting to ₹4,000 crore, addressing growing concerns about digital threats and telecom scams.
One of the flagship initiatives has been the establishment of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This robust framework has played a pivotal role in tackling diverse forms of cybercrime, saving ₹10 lakh in public funds and disrupting fraudulent networks at a national scale.
In the telecom domain, technological interventions have significantly reduced scam operations. An anti-fraud application launched by the government has led to the disconnection of 2.75 lakh phone numbers involved in illicit activities and the blacklisting of 10,000 headers used for spam or fraudulent communications. Furthermore, advanced caller identification software has blocked 25-30 crore scam calls over the past two months alone, including a record 1.35 crore calls in a single day, effectively countering misuse of international numbers infiltrating Indian networks.
Scindia acknowledged the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of technology, describing it as a “double-edged sword.” While technological innovations bring immense benefits, they also provide avenues for exploitation. “With every new technology comes great dividends, but also the potential for misuse. We are actively working to curb these nefarious activities while raising public awareness,” he said.
The government’s efforts have been bolstered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for vigilance during his recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast. Modi warned against emerging scams, including the “digital arrest” tactic, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from victims. He clarified that no legitimate agency conducts inquiries via phone or video calls and urged citizens to stay alert.
These measures reflect the government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding citizens in the face of rising cyber threats. By combining advanced technology, strict enforcement, and public awareness campaigns, the administration aims to create a safer digital ecosystem for all users.
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