22-Jul-2021: Steps taken for the Cyber Safety of Women and Children
The Government has launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cybercrimes, with a special focus on cyber-crimes against women and children. A toll-free number 155260 has been operationalised to assist lodging of online cyber complaints. The Government has established Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to provide a framework and eco-system for LEAs to deal with the cyber-crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cyber-crime through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The LEAs take legal action as per provisions of law against the offenders. In addition, the Central Government supplements the initiatives of the State Governments through advisories and financial assistance. The Central Government also takes measures such as issuance of alerts/ advisories, capacity building/ training of law enforcement personnel/ prosecutors/ judicial officers, improving cyber forensic facilities and spreading awareness about cybercrimes.
The National Commission for Women (NCW), has organised webinars and consultations with stakeholders during the year 2020-21 to sensitize them on this issue. Similarly, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has reviewed and compiled the existing literature (guidelines/handbooks) on cyber safety brought out by different Departments/ Organizations along with the legal provisions regarding online safety with the objective of providing a comprehensive overview of different aspects of cyber safety. In addition, NCPCR issued an advisory dated 17.04.2020 to Secretaries, School Education Department of all States/UTs suggesting certain important considerations for schools/ institutions to be considered while planning online education for children.
20-Jul-2021: Increase in Cyber Crimes
With the enhanced use of cyber space, the number of cybercrimes, including financial frauds and crimes relating to women, is also increasing. ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cybercrime through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The LEAs take legal action as per provisions of law against the offenders. The Central Government supplements the initiatives of the State Governments through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for their capacity building.
Ministry of Home Affairs has provided financial assistance to all the States & UTs under Cyber Crime Prevention against Women & Children (CCPWC) scheme to support their efforts for setting up of cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories, training, and hiring of junior cyber consultants. Cyber forensic-cum-training laboratories have been commissioned in 18 States. The Central Government has taken steps for spreading awareness about cybercrimes, issuance of alerts/ advisories, capacity building/ training of law enforcement personnel/ prosecutors/ judicial officers, improving cyber forensic facilities etc.
The Government has established Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to provide a framework and eco-system for LEAs to deal with the cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The Government has launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in), to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cybercrimes, with a special focus on cybercrimes against women and children. A toll-free number 155260 has been operationalised to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints. Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System module has been launched for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off fund by the fraudsters.