Cyber Crime Prevention Initiatives in India (GS Paper 2, Polity & Governance)
Background and Context
- The increasing prevalence of cyber crimes against women and children has prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to take significant measures to address this issue.
- To tackle these challenges, the MHA constituted an Expert Group comprised of officials and academicians from various institutions, including the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Ministry of Home Affairs, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), CERT-In, Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and IT experts.
- This group was tasked with studying gaps and challenges, preparing a roadmap for effective cyber crime management, and making recommendations to prevent crimes against women and children, as well as to raise societal awareness.
The Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme
In response to the expert group's findings, the MHA formulated the Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children (CCPWC) scheme. This initiative is part of a broader national effort supported by the Nirbhaya Fund to address cyber crimes, with a particular focus on women and children. The scheme was reviewed by the National Commission for Women (NCW), which provided several key recommendations:
Online Women-Specific Crime Reporting Unit:
- Integration with NCW: The unit should be interconnected with the NCW so that complaints filed by women about cyber crimes are forwarded to the MHA Crime Reporting Unit. An acknowledgment should be sent to the NCW and a copy to the complainant, facilitating quicker resolution with the aid of IT professionals.
Monitoring Unit for Cyber Crimes:
- Monthly Reports: This unit should produce monthly reports on the complaints received via the NCW, ensuring transparency and effective tracking of cyber crimes.
National Forensic Laboratory:
- Timely Investigations: The NCW emphasized the need for timely reports from forensic laboratories to prevent delays in investigations of crimes against women.
Capacity Building:
- Training for Protection Officers: The scheme should include capacity building for protection officers appointed under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
Key Initiatives and Mechanisms
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP):
- Purpose and Functionality: Launched in 2020, the NCRP serves as a central platform for reporting cyber crimes such as hacking, identity theft, and financial fraud. It offers 24/7 availability, anonymity for reporters, and includes online resources for cyber safety awareness. The portal helps law enforcement track cybercrime trends and is part of the Digital India campaign to enhance public engagement in combating cybercrime.
- Impact: The NCRP has recorded over 1.94 lakh incidents of child pornography and related crimes, with over 16.18 crore visits to the portal.
Cyber Forensic cum Training Labs:
- Establishment and Investment: To aid in cyber crime investigations, Cyber Forensic cum Training Labs have been set up in all 33 States and Union Territories, with an investment exceeding Rs. 131.60 crore. These labs are crucial for handling and analyzing cyber crime data.
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS):
- Functionality: The ERSS, operational across all States and Union Territories, manages over 36.29 crore calls. It collaborates with the Women Helpline (181) to provide better support to women in distress.
Safe City Projects:
- Implementation: Focused on improving public safety infrastructure, Safe City Projects are being implemented in eight major cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai. These projects use advanced technologies for smarter policing and address safety concerns raised by women.
Conclusion
- The CCPWC scheme and associated initiatives represent a comprehensive effort by the Indian government to combat cyber crimes against women and children.
- By integrating various reporting mechanisms, enhancing forensic capabilities, and leveraging advanced technologies, these measures aim to provide effective solutions and improve overall public safety.
- The ongoing collaboration between governmental bodies, experts, and the public is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by cyber crimes and ensuring a safer environment for women and children.
