Government Forms Panel to Combat Digital Arrests, Informs Supreme Court
Inter-departmental committee formed to tackle digital arrest scams affecting citizens.
Photo by Paul-Alain Hunt
The Union government has formed an inter-departmental committee to combat digital arrests, which have deprived citizens of thousands of crores. The committee, chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, includes representatives from various online platforms and government agencies. The government informed the Supreme Court, which is hearing the case, that inputs to combat digital arrest scams have been received from the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The committee was formed on December 26, 2025, and aims to comprehensively examine all facets of the issue of digital arrests. Attorney-General R. Venkataramani will attend the meetings of the IDC on a regular basis.
Key Facts
Inter-departmental committee formed to combat digital arrests
Committee chaired by Special Secretary (Internal Security)
Representatives from Google, WhatsApp, Telegram, Microsoft included
Inputs received from DoT and RBI
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 3: Economy - Financial scams and cybersecurity
GS Paper 2: Polity & Governance - Government initiatives for citizen protection
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on digital fraud and governance
Visual Insights
Process of Addressing Digital Arrests
Flowchart illustrating the steps taken by the government to combat digital arrests, from formation of the inter-departmental committee to implementation of recommendations.
- 1.Formation of Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) on Dec 26, 2025
- 2.Inputs Received from DoT & RBI
- 3.IDC Meetings with Attorney-General
- 4.Comprehensive Examination of Digital Arrests
- 5.Recommendations to Government
- 6.Implementation of Measures to Combat Digital Arrests
More Information
Background
The concept of financial fraud, including digital forms, has a long history. Early forms of fraud involved physical deception and manipulation. With the advent of the internet and digital technologies, financial fraud evolved rapidly.
The rise of e-commerce and online banking created new avenues for criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems. Phishing scams, malware attacks, and identity theft became increasingly common. The lack of robust cybersecurity measures and regulatory frameworks in the early stages of the internet contributed to the proliferation of digital fraud.
The evolution of digital payment systems, such as mobile wallets and cryptocurrency, further complicated the landscape, presenting new challenges for law enforcement and regulatory bodies.
Latest Developments
In recent years, digital arrests and related financial scams have seen a surge due to increased internet penetration and sophistication of cybercriminals. Law enforcement agencies globally are struggling to keep pace with the evolving tactics used in these scams. There's a growing emphasis on international cooperation to track and prosecute perpetrators who often operate across borders.
The development of advanced AI-driven fraud detection systems is a key area of focus. Future trends include the use of blockchain technology for secure transactions and the implementation of stricter regulations on online platforms to prevent fraudulent activities. Public awareness campaigns are also being intensified to educate citizens about the risks of digital fraud and how to protect themselves.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the inter-departmental committee (IDC) formed to combat digital arrests: 1. The IDC is chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. The IDC includes representatives from online platforms and government agencies. 3. The Attorney-General of India will attend the meetings of the IDC on a regular basis. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct based on the provided news summary. The IDC is indeed chaired by the Special Secretary (Internal Security), includes representatives from online platforms and government agencies, and the Attorney-General will attend the meetings regularly.
2. Which of the following is NOT typically associated with digital financial fraud?
- A.Phishing scams
- B.Counterfeiting of physical currency
- C.Malware attacks
- D.Identity theft
Show Answer
Answer: B
Counterfeiting of physical currency is a traditional form of financial crime, while phishing scams, malware attacks, and identity theft are directly related to digital environments.
3. Assertion (A): Digital arrests and related financial scams pose a significant threat to financial stability and citizen trust. Reason (R): The lack of adequate cybersecurity infrastructure and digital literacy contributes to the vulnerability of individuals and financial systems. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why digital arrests and financial scams are a threat. Inadequate cybersecurity and digital literacy create vulnerabilities that criminals exploit.