Measures Taken to Tackle Cyber Frauds

Why in news

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has implemented technological solutions like ASTR and the Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi, alongside inter-ministerial collaboration, to combat cyber frauds by identifying and disconnecting suspicious mobile connections and analyzing reported fraudulent communications.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Governance, Internal Security, Science & Technology · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed ASTR, an AI and big data analytics tool to identify suspicious mobile connections.
2. As of July 15, 2026, over 88 lakh suspicious mobile connections have been disconnected after failing reverification.
3. The Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi allows citizens to report suspected fraud communications.
4. DoT uses crowd-sourced data from citizen reports to analyze and identify misuse of telecom resources.
5. Based on 11.18 lakh reports on Sanchar Saathi, 50.90 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected.
6. Cybercrime matters are allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
7. 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Constitution of India.
8. DoT has developed the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for information sharing with stakeholders like MHA's Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
9. SEBI has issued advisories to its regulated entities regarding cyber fraud prevention.

Prelims pointers

• ASTR is an AI and big data analytics tool developed by DoT to identify suspicious mobile connections.
• Sanchar Saathi's Chakshu facility allows citizens to report suspected fraud communications.
• The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) facilitates information sharing between DoT and MHA's I4C.
• Cybercrime is primarily handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs, while Police and Public Order are State subjects.

Mains practice question

Discuss the role of technology and inter-agency coordination in combating cyber frauds in India. Analyze the effectiveness of measures taken by the Department of Telecommunications in this regard.

Static linkage

Cybercrime prevention involves multiple government agencies and leverages technological advancements. The allocation of business rules and the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution define the roles of central and state governments in maintaining law and order, including cybercrime. Platforms like Sanchar Saathi and DIP facilitate citizen engagement and inter-agency coordination.

Significance

The measures taken by the DoT, including the use of AI and big data analytics, represent a proactive approach to combating cyber frauds by targeting the underlying communication infrastructure. The Chakshu facility empowers citizens to participate in fraud detection, fostering a collaborative security ecosystem. The inter-ministerial collaboration through DIP enhances the effectiveness of cybercrime prevention by enabling seamless information exchange between different government bodies. This multi-pronged strategy is crucial for safeguarding individuals and the financial system from evolving cyber threats.