The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday collaborated with WhatsApp to extend ‘Scam Se Bacho,’ Meta’s safety campaign against online scams and spam.
As part of the collaboration, DoT and WhatsApp will work together to educate citizens on identifying and reporting suspected fraudulent communications to enhance digital safety and awareness.
The initiative will include train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units.
WhatsApp will also work with DoT to explore ways to integrate citizen-centric services from the Sanchar Saathi initiative into the WhatsApp platform, expanding its reach.
Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Meta, met Union Minister of Communications and Development of the North East Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, to discuss the effectiveness of the ongoing collaboration between DoT and Meta.
WhatsApp is also working with the Digital Intelligence Unit of DoT, utilizing information provided through DIP for proactive action against the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.
“The best way to prevent people from falling victim to scams and online fraud is to ensure they know what to look out for and how to stay safe,” said Kaplan.
“By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety and equip Indians with the knowledge they need to stay protected,” he added.
Scindia emphasized that as India advances in its digital transformation, ensuring the safety and security of citizens remains a top priority.
“Our partnership with Meta strengthens this commitment to protect our people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats. By leveraging WhatsApp’s vast digital reach, we are reinforcing efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all,” said the minister.
Additionally, WhatsApp will develop educational materials in collaboration with DoT to help users identify and report online scams and spam.
All user safety materials will be translated into regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati, to maximize accessibility.
(Inputs from IANS)
