The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp have joined forces to expand Meta’s ‘Scam Se Bacho’ initiative, a campaign aimed at protecting users from online scams and fraudulent activities. This collaboration will focus on educating citizens on identifying and reporting telecom fraud while strengthening digital safety efforts in India.
DoT’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Cyber Fraud Prevention
The DoT has launched various initiatives to prevent the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial frauds. The Sanchar Saathi portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in) and mobile app allow citizens to:
- Report suspected fraud calls and messages
- Track and block lost or stolen mobile handsets
- Check their mobile connections for unauthorized usage
Additionally, DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) facilitates real-time data exchange with over 550 stakeholders, including banks and law enforcement agencies, to combat cybercrime effectively.
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WhatsApp and DoT Join Hands for Digital Safety
As part of the initiative, WhatsApp will train DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) through dedicated workshops on tackling telecom fraud. The company will also work with DoT to explore ways to integrate Sanchar Saathi services into WhatsApp to enhance accessibility and awareness.
During his meeting with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, reaffirmed WhatsApp’s ongoing collaboration with the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) to detect and counter fraudulent telecom activities.
Government’s Commitment to Digital Security
Speaking on the partnership, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized the government’s priority in ensuring digital security:
“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 people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats.”
WhatsApp’s Role in Strengthening Cybersecurity Awareness
Joel Kaplan highlighted Meta’s commitment to curbing online scams, stating:
“The best way to prevent fraud is to educate people about what to look out for and how to stay safe. By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety.”
Public Awareness and Regional Language Accessibility
As part of the initiative, WhatsApp will develop educational materials in collaboration with DoT to guide users on detecting, avoiding, and reporting scams via Sanchar Saathi. To maximize reach, these resources will be translated into multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati.
With this partnership, the DoT and WhatsApp aim to empower Indian users with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate an increasingly digital landscape safely.
