New Delhi: In a significant move to combat cyber fraud and enhance digital awareness, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has partnered with WhatsApp to expand ‘Scam Se Bacho,’ Meta’s safety campaign against online scams and spam.
DoT has been actively implementing initiatives to curb the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud. One such key initiative is Sanchar Saathi, a citizen-centric portal and mobile app that empowers users to report suspected fraud calls and messages, manage their mobile connections, and trace lost or stolen devices.
Additionally, DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) facilitates bidirectional intelligence-sharing with over 550 stakeholders, including banks and law enforcement agencies, to take swift action against telecom-related cyber threats.
As part of the collaboration, DoT and WhatsApp will conduct train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, telecom service providers (TSPs), and field units to enhance awareness on the ground. Moreover, WhatsApp will explore integrating Sanchar Saathi services within its platform, allowing users to access key features seamlessly.
Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Meta, met the Union Minister of Communications & Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, to discuss the ongoing efforts between DoT and Meta in tackling fraudulent communications.
WhatsApp is also working closely with DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit to proactively identify and act against the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Minister Scindia stated, “As India advances on its path of digital transformation, ensuring the safety and security of our citizens remains a top priority. Our partnership with Meta strengthens this commitment to protect our people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats. By harnessing WhatsApp’s vast digital reach, we are strengthening efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all.”
Joel Kaplan echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The best way to stop people falling victim to scams and online fraud is to make sure they know what to look out for and what they can do to stay safe. By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety and help give Indians the knowledge they need to stay safe.”
As part of the initiative, WhatsApp will collaborate with DoT to develop informative materials educating users on different types of online fraud, warning signs, and reporting mechanisms available through Sanchar Saathi.
These resources will be made available in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati, ensuring wider accessibility.
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