The Supreme Court has asked WhatsApp and other intermediaries to outline the measures they are taking to curb digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes, as part of a suo motu case being heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The order, uploaded after the hearing on October 29, lists the matter for the next hearing on November 23.
Intermediaries have also been asked to submit their proposals to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, known as I4C, which functions under the Union Home Ministry. Counsel appearing for WhatsApp, Kapil Sibal, told the bench that the company had taken action against 9,400 accounts. The platform is reportedly developing software that would flag suspicious accounts and warn users, and it is expected to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken.
On the financial side, the court observed that banks should compensate victims where a failure of due diligence is shown. The Reserve Bank of India has proposed rules that would require indemnity and compensation for victims. The bench also suggested that banks consider suspending unusual transactions and alerting the police, and directed the RBI to place before the court, by the next hearing, a list of all authorised financial institutions.
The court took note of data indicating that cybercrimes had reportedly fallen by 50 per cent, even as victims lost Rs 800 crore this year. Attorney General R. Venkataramani told the bench that banks had improved their detection of suspicious transactions. The court said the proposed RBI know-your-customer amendment directions for 2026 would be examined first. Those directions are proposed to be notified by November 30 and made operational by December 31.
States and Union Territories have been asked to report the first information reports registered and the investigations under way in digital arrest cases. State Directors General of Police have been directed to ensure compliance, and their reports will go to an inter-departmental committee.
The outcome of the proposals put forward by the platforms and the RBI remains uncertain until the court hears the matter further on November 23.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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