The Union home ministry has instructed WhatsApp to enhance its security protocols to address the increasing incidents of digital arrest scams. This includes blocking the device IDs of individuals involved in such fraudulent activities to prevent them from creating new accounts.
A high-level inter-departmental committee (IDC) formed to tackle this issue has also directed WhatsApp to retain data from deleted accounts for 180 days, as outlined in the IT Rules, 2021. This measure aims to assist law enforcement in their investigations.
WhatsApp has agreed to implement these directives and will introduce new safety features akin to those on Skype, which will provide users with more information about callers, alert them to suspicious accounts, and improve the detection of scam networks.
Furthermore, the IDC has requested WhatsApp to enhance its technology to identify and block harmful APKs, mitigate the spread of malicious files, and expand its capabilities to detect impersonation and misuse of official logos. This is particularly crucial as the use of deep fake video calls in extortion attempts is on the rise.
WhatsApp has also been tasked with developing measures to identify and reduce the frequency of scam calls, which are prevalent in digital arrest scenarios. The platform has reported that it is already using a logo detection and media matching system to identify accounts impersonating law enforcement agencies.
The IDC has given WhatsApp a deadline of 30 days to present a proposal outlining these technical and safety enhancements, along with regular updates thereafter.
In typical digital arrest scams, fraudsters pose as law enforcement officials, accuse victims of crimes, and coerce them into transferring large sums of money during video calls to avoid fictitious charges.
WhatsApp representatives indicated that the platform would implement SIM binding within four to six months, with an action report due by the end of March. This follows a directive from the telecom department last November, which mandated that messaging platforms like WhatsApp establish active SIM linkage for user access.
Overall, WhatsApp aims to strengthen its collaboration with law enforcement, ensuring prompt responses to reports of fraud, impersonation, and misuse of government symbols.
The Supreme Court has acknowledged the surge in digital arrest cases, noting that citizens lost over ₹1,935 crore in 2024 alone. The court has urged the Centre to develop a standard operating procedure on this matter and consult with stakeholders, including the RBI and banks, to create a compensation plan for victims.
