The government has introduced two new initiatives to tackle cyber fraud and protect citizens’ digital assets.
These tools were unveiled by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity and curb fraudulent activities.
Chakshu Facility on Sanchar Saathi Portal
Chakshu is a new feature added to the Sanchar Saathi portal, aimed at enabling citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications received via calls, SMS, or WhatsApp.
The facility allows individuals to report various types of fraudulent activities, such as KYC expiry, impersonation scams, and fraudulent requests for bank account or payment wallet updates.
Citizens can also report incidents like sextortion and unauthorized disconnection of mobile numbers by the Department of Telecommunications.
Other Facilities Available on Sanchar Saathi Portal
In addition to Chakshu, the Sanchar Saathi portal offers several other citizen-centric facilities, including:
- Checking mobile connections issued in one’s name and reporting unnecessary or unauthorized connections for disconnection.
- Report stolen or lost mobile devices for blocking and tracking.
- Verifying the authenticity of mobile handsets before purchasing.
- Reporting incoming international calls with Indian telephone numbers as caller IDs.
- Checking details of licensed wireline Internet Service Providers.
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
The Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) is another initiative launched by the Department of Telecommunications to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing, information exchange, and coordination among stakeholders.
This secure platform is accessible to telecom service providers, law enforcement agencies, banks, and financial institutions. It serves as a backend repository for citizen-initiated requests on the Sanchar Saathi portal, enabling stakeholders to take appropriate action against fraudulent activities.
Initiatives and Impact
Union Minister for Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s efforts to combat cyber fraud through initiatives like Secure India.
The Department of Telecommunication has helped citizens save approximately Rs. 1,000 crore in nine months and frozen Rs. 1,008 crore linked to fraudulent transactions.
With the launch of Chakshu and DIP, the government aims to significantly improve the detection and prevention of cyber frauds. The ministry is also collaborating with financial institutions to recover money and block fraudulent accounts.
Union Minister for Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasized the significance of these initiatives, said:
Chakshu is about reporting suspected frauds, highlighting the government’s commitment to safeguarding citizens from cyber frauds under the Secure India project.