Govt Asks Tech Giants To Crack Down On Child Porn, Rape Videos

The government has ordered tech giants like Google, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Microsoft to crack down on content regarding child porn and rape videos that are being shared on the internet.

It has asked the firms to become more proactive and take serious action on these issues. A high-level committee that includes senior officials from these companies as well as the IT and home ministries has been formed to look into the matter.

"Companies are currently following a 'reporting' system, where action is taken after it has been reported and thereafter verified to be true. The government is not happy with this approach as it is more reactive, and not proactive," a source told TOI

The government is also creating a bank of these images and content, like the ones they have in the US and the UK. If the same image is uploaded again on another website, the software will be alerted and the image will be blocked. India is also contemplating creating a hotline portal where people can report negative content.

According to cyber security solutions provider Fortinet, almost half of IT decision makers around the world believe that cyber security in India is not enough of a priority. Eighty-four per cent of Indian organisations have been victims of security breaches over the last two years, the survey highlights. 

Women are particularly vulnerable to cyber security breaches and cyber bullying. Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Malliwal has announced that the commission is planning to start a cyber cell to aid women who face trolling and harassment.

Microsoft has also started an India Cybersecurity Engagement Center through which it has reached out to over 126 companies to give them information and techniques to secure critical information infrastructure. It is also working with the government to train officials on cyber security.

Also Read: Dhanya Menon: India’s first woman Cybercrime Investigator