The Supreme Court has asked WhatsApp and other intermediaries to apprise it about their proposed measures to prevent digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes in the country.

 

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked WhatsApp and similar intermediaries to simultaneously submit their proposals to the I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre).

 

The order regarding it uploaded on the website with regard to the hearing conducted on 29th of last month in a suo motu case titled ‘Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents’, 

 

The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, has listed the plea for further consideration on 23rd of this month.

 

WhatsApp, had told the bench the platform had taken preventive measures, including action against 9,400 accounts, and would file an affidavit detailing the steps undertaken.

 

The top court, on October 29, had said financial institutions must be held accountable for digital arrest scams and other cyber frauds, emphasising that banks should be required to compensate victims for losses suffered where an investigation establishes that the fraud occurred due to the institution’s failure to exercise due diligence.

 

The bench also directed the law enforcement agencies of all states and Union territories to submit reports detailing FIRs registered in digital arrest scam cases and the investigations arising from them.