As part of the collaboration, DoT and WhatsApp will work together to educate citizens on identifying and reporting suspected fraud communications to enhance digital safety and awareness.

DoT has taken various Initiatives to prevent the use of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial frauds. A citizen-centric Sanchar Saathi initiative in the form of portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in) & Mobile App has been developed to empower citizens to report suspect suspected fraud calls/messages, know their mobile connections and Block & Trace lost/ stolen mobile handsets among other facilities.

Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) of DOT exchange bidirectional digital intelligence with 550 stakeholders like banks, LEAs, about misuse of telecom resources and subsequent action.

In a signifaicant step to enhance digital safety and awareness on the ground, the initiative will include train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Snchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units.

WhatsApp will also work with DoT to explore ways to build citizen centric services of Sanchar Saathi initiatives through WhatsApp platform for wider reach of Sanchar Saathi.

Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta, Joel Kaplan met the Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and discussed the effectiveness of ongoing collaboration of DoT and Meta.

WhatsApp is collaborating with Digital Intelligence Unit of DoT and using the information provided by through DIP for proactive action on misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial frauds.

Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) of DOT exchange bidirectional digital intelligence with 550 stakeholders like banks, LEAs, about misuse of telecom resources and subsequent action.

Digital intelligence involves understanding customers and how they’re using website, mobile site or mobile app (thanks to digital analytics), then using this data to optimize their experience no matter when, where or how they interact with.

In the same way that intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ) measure general and emotional intelligences, digital intelligence quotient (DQ) can be further deconstructed into certain key areas like: digital identity, digital rights, digital literacy, digital use, digital communication, digital safety etc.

Commenting on the partnership, the Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia shared: 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 WhatsApps vast digital reach, we are strengthening efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all.

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. Thats why Meta invests a great deal in technology and resources to try and stay ahead of the scammers and give people the information they need. By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the governments commitment to citizen safety and help give Indians the knowledge they need to stay safe.

Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta

As part of the partnership, WhatsApp will also develop informative assets in collaboration with DoT to educate users on how to identify and report online scams and spam. These will cover different types of fraud, warning signs, and reporting mechanisms available on the Sanchar Saathi. All user safety materials will be translated into regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati to maximize accessibility.

DoT is steadfastly committed to preventing the misuse of telecom resources by implementing advanced solutions and working closely with various stakeholders. Awareness of the citizens will help them keeping safe in the evolving digital ecosystem.

By continuously thinking about work through a digital lens, building a team culture that embraces technology, and using data to fuel new opportunities, leaders in any role can begin to embody digital intelligence. In the digital world, organizations need to continuously evolve to survive.

Cyber criminals exploit people and steal confidential and sensitive information through various email-based strategies. One should always be beware of these.

Spam is unsolicited email, instant messages, or social media messages. These messages are fairly easy to spot and can be damaging if one opens or responds.

Phishing is an email sent from an Internet criminal disguised as an email from a legitimate, trustworthy source. The message is meant to lure one into revealing sensitive or confidential information.

Spear Phishing occurs when criminals obtain information from websites or social networking sites, and customize a phishing scheme.

Spoofing describes a criminal who impersonates another individual or organization, with the intent to gather personal or business information.

Pharming is a malicious website that resembles a legitimate website, used to gather usernames and passwords.

One can have certain clues to help recognize a phishing scam:

• Requests for your username and/or password credible institutions and organizations will not request personal information via email
• Time sensitive threats (e.g., ..account will be closed if you do not respond immediately)
• Spelling and grammar mistakes
• Vague or missing information in the from field or email signature
• To field contains multiple random email address or is alphabetized
• Impersonal or awkward greetings, such as Dear Mr. account holder
• Unexpected files or downloads
• Links that don’t refer to the sender or sender’s organization
• Emails about accounts that one doesn’t have, such as eBay or PayPal, or banks that you don’t have accounts with
• Emails from celebrities
• Asks you to reply in order to opt out of a service or
• Plays on human emotions to evoke sympathy, kindness, fear, worry, anxiety, or excitement etc.