The Ministry of Communications (MoC) has introduced two new initiatives today: the ‘Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)’ and the ‘Chakshu’ facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal. These initiatives by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) aim to empower citizens to report suspected fraudulent communication and enhance coordination among stakeholders in combating cyber-crime and financial frauds, as announced by the MoC.
🚨Be Alert : Clicking on suspicious links can give scammers control of your phone.
— DoT India (@DoT_India) July 4, 2024
🔒Stay Safe: Avoid unknown links and report suspicious messages.
📢 Spread Awareness: Report such links on Chakshu at https://t.co/6oGJ6NTnZT@JM_Scindia @PemmasaniOnX @Cyberdost #DigitalSafe pic.twitter.com/IUtCjsEnc3
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) is a secure and integrated platform designed for real-time intelligence sharing among Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), law enforcement agencies (LEAs), financial institutions (FIs), and social media platforms. It facilitates information exchange and coordination to combat cybercrime and financial fraud, although it is not accessible to citizens.
Chakshu Facility on the Sanchar Saathi Portal
Meanwhile, the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal allows citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications received via call, SMS, or WhatsApp. It covers various fraudulent activities such as KYC expiry scams, impersonation scams, and disconnection of mobile numbers by the Department of Telecommunications. Chakshu complements the existing facilities available on the Sanchar Saathi portal of DoT.
Telecom Secretary’s Emphasis
Telecom Secretary, Neeraj Mittal, emphasized the significance of these initiatives in safeguarding citizens’ digital assets and curbing fraudulent activities. He highlighted their role in enhancing cybersecurity measures and protecting individuals from cyber threats.
The Ministry encourages citizens who fall victim to cyber-crime or financial fraud to report incidents through the cyber-crime helpline number 1930 or the Government of India’s cybercrime website (cybercrime.gov.in).
Sanchar Saathi Portal
The Sanchar Saathi portal already offers several facilities, including the ability to check mobile connections issued in one’s name, report stolen or lost mobile handsets, and verify the authenticity of mobile devices. It also provides information on licensed wireline Internet Service Providers and enables users to report incoming international calls with Indian telephone numbers.
Outcomes of DoT’s Initiatives
The outcomes of DoT’s initiatives include the disconnection of 59 lakh fraudulent connections, blocking of 1.5 lakh handsets involved in cybercrimes, and tracing of 7 lakh handsets, resulting in significant savings for Indian citizens. These initiatives underscore the Government’s commitment to ensuring a safer digital environment and strengthening efforts to combat cyber fraud and the misuse of telecom resources.
