DoT Launches Secure Digital Intelligence Platform to Tackle Cybercrime and Financial Frauds
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India has developed an online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to exchange information about telecom resource abuse for cybercrime prevention and financial frauds. Around 620 organizations, including central security agencies, State/UT Police, I4C, Goods & Service Tax Network (GSTN), banks, and TSPs, have been onboarded on DIP. Cybercrime matters are brought under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) according to business rules allocation. The MHA has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C) as an attached office to act as a framework and eco-system for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to address cyber-crimes.
The MHA has also started the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to facilitate public reporting of all types of cybercrimes. In 2024, total complaints on NCRP and loss incurred were Rs 19.18 lakh and Rs 22,812 crore, respectively. The DoT and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have developed a mechanism to detect and block incoming international spoofed calls showing Indian mobile numbers. To counter SIM taking by using spurious documents, the DoT has developed an indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics tool ASTR to detect SIMs obtained by the same individual in various names.
DoT is also working on awareness initiatives to educate people on telecom safety and promote the use of the Sanchar Saathi App/portal. This includes state-specific orientation, social media campaigns, periodic press releases, SMS campaigns, and partnering with various stakeholders such as Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Banks, and TSPs. Student volunteers from several universities are proactively interacting with citizens to educate them on digital safety, fraud avoidance, and Sanchar Saathi.
