Steps taken to tackle frauds
Context
The Government of India is implementing measures to prevent online fraud involving fake news, misleading advertisements, and counterfeit products. Recent efforts focus on ensuring a safe, trustworthy, and accountable internet for all users.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Key Highlights of the Topic
IT Rules, 2021:
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) enforces the Information Technology Rules, 2021, under the IT Act, 2000.
- These rules mandate intermediaries to exercise due diligence in ensuring prohibited content is not hosted or shared on their platforms.
- Non-compliance results in losing the immunity provided under Section 79 of the IT Act.
Consumer Protection Measures:
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, prohibits advertisements promoting unlawful activities.
- CCPA has issued specific advisories, like the one on March 6, 2024, targeting misleading advertisements.
Action on Online Betting Ads:
- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) advised media and social platforms on March 21, 2024, to avoid broadcasting advertisements related to online betting platforms.
- It also warned against surrogate advertising aimed at Indian audiences.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism:
- IT Rules 2021 require intermediaries to appoint a Grievance Officer for time-bound resolution of complaints.
- Escalation to the grievance Appellate Committee is possible if grievances remain unresolved.
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, offers redressal through district, state, and national forums for consumer disputes, including unfair trade practices.
Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020:
- These rules, notified by the Department of Consumer Affairs, define the responsibilities of e-commerce platforms and include provisions for grievance redressal.
- The Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns 2023 address deceptive practices in the e-commerce sector.
Cybercrime Framework:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) for coordinated action on cybercrime.
- The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) enables citizens to report incidents, which are forwarded to respective state/UT agencies for investigation.
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