What Steps Has the Government Taken for Cybercrime Awareness?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Government initiatives aim to enhance cybercrime awareness.
- Introduction of the Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930 for support.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) facilitates reporting.
- Collaboration with States/UTs for effective cybercrime response.
- Broad media campaigns to engage and educate the public.
Hyderabad, July 30 (NationPress) The Central Government has initiated numerous programs aimed at enhancing public awareness about cybercrime, as reported to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
During his response to a query from Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, outlined the government's measures.
He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed issues related to frauds, such as digital arrests, during his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on October 27, 2024, to inform the public.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) initiated a caller tune campaign starting December 19, 2024, to raise awareness about cybercrime and promote the Cybercrime Helpline Number 1930 and the NCRP portal.
The Minister stated that the Central Government launched a comprehensive program on digital arrest scams, which includes various strategies: advertisements in newspapers, announcements in metro stations, utilization of social media platforms for awareness, campaigns through Prasar Bharti and electronic media, as well as special programs on Aakashvani.
To further promote awareness regarding cybercrime, the Central Government has implemented various initiatives, including: disseminating messages via SMS, maintaining an I4C social media presence on X (@CyberDost), Facebook (CyberDostI4C), Instagram (CyberDostI4C), Telegram (cyberdosti4c), as well as SMS, TV, Radio, and School campaigns, advertisements in cinemas, celebrity endorsements, promotions during the IPL, campaigns at Kumbh Mela 2025, collaborating with MyGov for publicity across multiple platforms, organizing Cyber Safety and Security Awareness weeks with States/UTs, publishing Handbooks for Adolescents/Students, and displaying digital advertisements at railway stations and airports.
The Minister emphasized that the policies of the Union Government are designed to ensure a safe, open, and accountable cyberspace for all users in India. The government is aware of the ongoing challenges related to cybersecurity and cybercrime.
He also mentioned that the responsibility for preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting crimes, including cybercrime, lies with the States/UTs through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
The Central Government supports State Governments' initiatives by providing advisories and schemes to enhance their police personnel's capabilities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has established the 'Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre' (I4C) to tackle cybercrimes. I4C has introduced the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) (https://cybercrime.gov.in) for users to submit cybercrime complaints online, upload evidence, and track the progress of their cases.
A toll-free Helpline number '1930' has also been made available for assistance in lodging online cyber complaints.
Reports of cybercrime incidents submitted on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal are processed by the concerned State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies as per legal provisions, including converting them into FIRs, filing charge sheets, making arrests, and resolving complaints.