Cybercrimes saw a 6.25% jump in the country in 2016, with the government stating that there is a “growing tendency” to commit such crimes through internet and mobile.
Statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) submitted at Parliament revealed that there were 12,317 cybercrime cases. With figures for 2015 at 11,592 and 2014 at 9,622, cybercrime incidents have shown a significant and steady increase in the last few years. The figures for last year is provisional and could rise further.
In replies to separate questions, the MHA said the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has reported 27,482 cyber security incidents this year till June. Last year, there were 50,362 incidents.
In 2014 and 2015, the figures were 44,679 and 49,455 respectively.
A matter of concern is the rise in the number of URLs blocked for sending offensive content over social media to cause unrest in the society.
The government blocks such content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000 and on the basis of court orders. While 442 URLs were blocked in 2014, it rose to 1,219 in 2015 and 1,964 last year. Till June this year, there were 735 such cases, including 83 following orders from the court.
The National Investigation Agency has probed 20 cases relating to Islamic State (IS), where it established the extensive use of internet to radicalise people.
“A large number of (computer/mobile) applications such as social media apps, search engines, voice communications and World Wide Web are accessed through mobile,” Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir told the Lok Sabha recently.
“Internet and mobile platforms have found wide penetration in the society in a relatively short time. There is a growing tendency to commit cybercrime, while no data is available to suggest that cybercrimes are linked to the spurt in the usage of mobile phones or internet,” the minister said.
Cops and social media
Police should use social media more often to disseminate information and hold special campaign drives against criminals targeting women, a conference for cops has resolved.
The conference of young Superintendents of Police and Central Armed Police Officers — held under the aegis of Bureau of Police Research and Development in New Delhi — also wanted a special focus on cyber training and cyber security for all police personnel.