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In a landmark judgement, the <keyword id="19900742" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Supreme Court of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Supreme Court of India">Supreme Court of India</keyword> has broadened the definition of crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court ruled that simply viewing <keyword id="20456028" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="child-pornography" source="keywords">child pornography</keyword> on the internet, without physically possessing or storing the material, is now a criminal offence under Section 15 of the <keyword id="19920672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="POCSO-Act" source="keywords">POCSO Act</keyword> and provisions of the <keyword id="19930099" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology" source="keywords">Information Technology</keyword> (IT) Act. This ruling significantly expands the scope of the law to address the evolving challenges posed by digital platforms. <h2>A wider net</h2>In its ruling, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala stated, "Any act of viewing, distributing, or displaying child pornographic material by a person over the internet without any actual or physical possession or storage of such material in any device or in any form or manner would also amount to 'possession' in terms of Section 15 of POCSO Act." This interpretation effectively settled conflicting verdicts from various high courts, notably overturning a Madras High Court decision that had quashed a POCSO case against an individual who had viewed child pornography but had not circulated it. The Supreme Court, in agreeing with senior advocate H.S. Phoolka's arguments, deemed the earlier judgement "egregiously erroneous." <h2>Crimes categorised</h2>In a further clarification, the Supreme Court divided crimes related to child pornography under Section 15 of the POCSO Act into three distinct categories. The decision emphasised that law enforcement and courts must carefully assess each case to determine the specific category under which an offence falls. One critical insight from the judgement is that an offender cannot escape prosecution by simply deleting illegal content before an FIR is registered. The bench declared, "We clarify that there is no requirement under Section 15 of POCSO Act that ‘storage’ or ‘possession’ must continue to exist at the time of initiation of the criminal proceeding, and no such requirement can be read into the said provision." <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113417654" title="“Learned no lessons from Nirbhaya case”: Madhya Pradesh High Court criticises lenient treatment of crime-accused juvies in India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>This means that even if an individual deletes the material before the authorities take action, they may still face <keyword id="20554971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="legal-consequences" source="keywords">legal consequences</keyword> based on the mere act of viewing or temporary possession. <h2><keyword id="23293250" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="automatic-downloads" source="keywords">Automatic downloads</keyword></h2>Acknowledging the complexities of <keyword id="20573374" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-media" source="keywords">digital media</keyword>, the Supreme Court recognised that certain child pornographic content might be automatically downloaded onto devices without the user’s knowledge. To address this, the court created a safeguard for those unaware of the offensive material stored on their devices. If a person discovers such material on their device through automatic downloads, they will not be prosecuted if they take immediate steps to delete it and report it to the authorities. However, the onus is on the device owner to act swiftly. Failure to delete or report the offensive material after becoming aware of it would constitute an offence under the law. To avoid the automatic downloading of problematic material, there are several proactive measures you can take. First, adjust your browser settings to disable automatic downloads and pop-ups, ensuring you have to approve any file before it is downloaded to your device. Regularly update your web browser and security software to benefit from the latest protections against malicious websites. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113146443" title="Karnataka HC rejects school teacher&amp;#39;s plea to quash POCSO case over filming of girl students" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Additionally, be cautious about the sites you visit, particularly those that seem suspicious or unfamiliar; stick to well-known, reputable sources. Additionally, consider using ad blockers or content filters that can prevent potentially harmful content from loading. Always be mindful of any unsolicited links in emails or messages, as these can lead to automatic downloads of unwanted material. Lastly, routinely monitor your device for any unfamiliar files and promptly delete anything that looks suspicious to minimise your risk of unknowingly storing problematic content. <h2>What this means for the future</h2>This judgement sends a clear message: India is taking a zero-tolerance approach toward child pornography in all its forms, whether stored, distributed, or merely viewed. The ruling adapts the legal framework to modern challenges, ensuring that perpetrators can no longer hide behind technicalities such as the absence of physical possession. The Supreme Court’s interpretation also places a burden on individuals to exercise responsibility in the digital world. Anyone who stumbles upon child pornography, whether intentionally or accidentally, must take swift action to avoid legal consequences. (With inputs from agencies)

You can now be prosecuted for unknowingly “auto-downloading” child porn. Here’re some safe browsing habits

Actor <keyword id="19897962" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamannaah-Bhatia" source="keywords">Tamannaah Bhatia</keyword>, who made waves with her recent cameo in Stree 2, is in the news again — but for a very unexpected reason this time. The actor was questioned by the <keyword id="19895344" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Enforcement-Directorate" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Enforcement Directorate" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Enforcement Directorate">Enforcement Directorate</keyword> (ED) in Guwahati on Thursday in connection with a high-profile <keyword id="19899231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="money-laundering" source="keywords">money laundering</keyword> case involving the ‘<keyword id="19984854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HPZ-Token" source="keywords">HPZ Token</keyword>’ mobile app, where several investors were allegedly duped on the pretext of <keyword id="23296351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrency-mining" source="keywords">cryptocurrency mining</keyword>. The 34-year-old actor’s statement was recorded under the <keyword id="19912399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prevention-of-Money-Laundering-Act" source="keywords">Prevention of Money Laundering Act</keyword> (PMLA), according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). Bhatia allegedly received payments for making a "<keyword id="23595308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="celebrity-appearance" source="keywords">celebrity appearance</keyword>" at an event linked to the app, though there were no incriminating charges against her. Initially called for questioning earlier, she deferred the summons due to professional commitments but appeared on Thursday, as per PTI. The money laundering probe is tied to an FIR filed by the <keyword id="21156024" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-crimes-unit" source="keywords">cyber crimes unit</keyword> of Kohima Police, where several accused were booked under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act. The app in question, 'HPZ Token,' was reportedly used to deceive investors by promising hefty returns on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency mining. For an investment of ₹57,000, investors were promised returns of ₹4,000 per day for three months, but payments were halted after the first round, and fresh funds were solicited. The ED’s investigation uncovered 299 entities involved, including 76 Chinese-controlled entities, accused of creating "shell entities" to launder funds. The agency seized assets worth ₹455 crore following searches across the country. This case is part of a broader crackdown on fraudulent online schemes and <keyword id="20454123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="illegal-betting" source="keywords">illegal betting</keyword> tied to cryptocurrency investments. (With inputs from sources)

Why is actor Tamannaah Bhatia being questioned by the ED for a money laundering case?

<ul><li>Between January 2020 and June 2023, 75% of cyber crimes in India were attributed to financial frauds.</li><li>Expenses incurred in the retrieval or restoration of lost or corrupted data resulting from malware attacks is covered in policies. </li><li>Financial losses incurred due to online shopping on fraudulent websites are also covered. </li></ul>Online monetary transactions are on the rise every year and as we spend more and more time in the virtual world, the world of crime has seen opportunities and spread its tentacles in this sphere too. Cybersecurity fraud includes various types, including <keyword id="6359049" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="phishing" source="Orion">phishing</keyword> attacks that trick users into revealing personal information, ransomware that encrypts data for extortion, <keyword id="429939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="identity-theft" source="Orion">identity theft</keyword> for financial gain, and malware infections exploiting vulnerabilities in systems. Many of these frauds result in <keyword id="514956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-loss" source="Orion">financial loss</keyword> because the bank account of the victim is compromised. A study conducted by a start-up incubated with IIT Kanpur revealed that between January 2020 and June 2023, 75% of cyber crimes in India were attributed to financial frauds. Companies take <keyword id="1672191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-insurance" source="Orion">cyber insurance</keyword> to protect themselves from damages due to cyber frauds. Cyber security insurance is also available for individuals. HDFC ERGO, offers a cyber sachet insurance policy, tailored for individuals, including students, women, entrepreneurs, and working professionals. The policy covers a range of cyber threats such as theft of funds, identity theft, social media liability, malware attacks, phishing, and third-party data breaches along with coverage for counselling services to support individuals who experience emotional setbacks due to cyber incidents. Also one can extend the coverage to cover their smart home devices affected by malware attacks. Similarly Bajaj Allianz provides an Individual Cyber Safe Insurance Policy. Cyber insurance acts as a protective measure against potential losses incurred online, offering assurance and coverage in case of adverse incidents. This insurance coverage grants peace of mind, allowing individuals to engage in online activities without constant concern over financial ramifications caused by cyber threats. Such plans can have a sum insured of ₹10,000 to ₹5 crore. Let us take a look at what all is covered under cyber insurance. Financial loss: The coverage extends to financial losses resulting from online frauds, encompassing unauthorised access, phishing, and spoofing incidents affecting bank accounts, credit/debit cards, and digital wallets. “Any sort of financial loss due to any <keyword id="6358845" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-fraud" source="Orion">cyber fraud</keyword> is covered up to the sum assured in the policy. For example if someone clicks on a phishing link and then one's account is hacked and one loses money from their bank account the policy will cover it,” says TA Ramalingam, chief technical officer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance . Identity theft: Coverage includes indemnification for financial losses, credit monitoring expenses, legal fees for prosecution resulting from the unauthorised use of personal information by a third party on the internet. Additionally, it encompasses psychological consultation expenses for the affected individual. Data restoration: Expenses incurred in the retrieval or restoration of lost or corrupted data resulting from malware attacks is covered. “Cost incurred in restoring lost or corrupted data or replacing hardware due to malware attack,” says Parthanil Ghosh, President, Retail Business HDFC ERGO General Insurance. Hardware replacement: Expenses associated with replacing your personal device or its components that have been impacted or damaged due to a malware attack are covered. Cyber bullying: Coverage includes legal expenses, expenses related to removing objectionable content posted by cyber-bullies, and psychological consultation costs for the affected individual. Online shopping: Financial losses may be incurred due to online shopping on fraudulent websites. “Online shopping fraud where an item is not received even after making a full payment is covered,” says Ghosh. What is not covered Any losses resulting out of dishonest or improper conduct is not covered. Any losses arising out of racist, pornographic or other immoral services or restricted websites are also not covered. Some of the other exclusions include coverage for investment activities like selling shares and losses in cryptocurrency. It is the onus of the policyholder to follow basic safety procedures. “One needs to behave as if one is not insured. So if someone makes basic mistakes like sharing one’s PIN or OTP or writing the PIN at the back of an ATM card, the insurance company won't cover any damages,” says Ramalingam. If you are a heavy mobile phone or Internet user, having cyber insurance can give you a safety net. However, remember, it pays to stay vigilant.

Online financial crimes on the rise – How to secure your digital world

The Centre has blocked over 100 websites involved in facilitating organised illegal investments related to economic crimes and task-based part-time job frauds. According to an official statement, these websites were being operated by overseas actors and targets were mostly retired employees, women and unemployed youth looking for part time jobs. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), a wing of the Union Home Ministry, through its vertical National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) had last week identified and recommended that these websites be blocked. Following this, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), invoking its power under the Information Technology Act, 2000, has blocked these websites, the statement said. These websites, which facilitated task-based organised illegal investment related to economic crimes, were learnt to be operated by overseas actors and were using digital advertisement, chat messengers and mule and rented accounts. The proceeds from the large scale economic frauds were seen to be laundered out of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> using card network, crypto currency, overseas ATM withdrawals and international Fintech companies, the statement said. The I4C is an initiative of the Home Ministry to deal with cyber crimes in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. <keyword id="6366773" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="citizens" source="Orion">Citizens</keyword> have been advised to promptly report phone numbers and social media handles used by such fraudsters to the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), the statement said. It said several complaints have been received through 1930 helpline and the NCRP and these offences were posing significant threat to the citizens and also involved data security concerns. These frauds, typically, involve a number of steps that include targeted digital advertisements launched on platforms like Google and Meta using key words like "Ghar baithe job" (Do jobs sitting at home), "Ghar baithe kamai kaise karen" (How to earn by sitting at home) etc. in multiple languages from overseas advertisers. Upon clicking the advertisement, an agent using WhatsApp or Telegram starts conversation with the potential victim, who convinces him or her to perform some tasks like video likes and subscribe, maps rating, etc. Upon completion of task, the victim is given some commission, initially and is asked to invest more to get more returns against given task. After gaining confidence, when victim deposits larger sum, deposits are frozen and thus the victim is duped. As precautionary measure, it is advised to exercise due diligence before investing in any such very high commission paying online schemes sponsored over internet. If an unknown person contacts anyone over WhatsApp or Telegram, refrain from performing financial transactions without verification, the statement said Verify the name of receiver mentioned in UPI App. If receiver is any random person, it may be a mule account and scheme may be fraudulent.Similarly, check the source from where initial commission is received, it said. Citizens should refrain from doing transactions with unknown accounts, as these could be involved in money laundering and even terror financing and lead to blocking of accounts by police and other legal action, the statement said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-november-2023/slidelist/105775116.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-november-2023/slidelist/105775116.cms" target="_blank">WagonR to Creta – Top selling cars in India in November</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-announced-new-flagship-smartphone-oneplus-12-with-up-to-24gb-ram/articleshow/105756057.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-announced-new-flagship-smartphone-oneplus-12-with-up-to-24gb-ram/articleshow/105756057.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus 12 debuts with bigger battery, up to 24GB RAM and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ola-electric-and-tvs-motor-leading-electric-two-wheeler-sales-in-nov-2023-month/articleshow/105719702.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales rise in Nov as Ola Electric scales a new high</a>

Over 100 websites blocked for facilitating organised illegal investments

<keyword id="6358992" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="delhi-police" source="Orion">Delhi Police</keyword> have busted a pan-India <keyword id="6354720" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ola" source="Orion">Ola</keyword> electric scooty scam and arrested 20 persons in connection. According to a senior police official, the <keyword id="15512585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="outer-north" source="Orion">Outer-North</keyword> district's <keyword id="29409" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cyber-crime" source="Orion">Cyber Crime</keyword> police team arrested the 20 accused during a combination of raids in Bengaluru, <keyword id="11900977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="gurugram" source="Orion">Gurugram</keyword> and Patna. The official added that the accused had duped more than 1,000 victims to the tune of crores on the pretext of Ola electric scooty bookings as well as dealerships. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/global-smartphone-apps-chip-market-hits-all-time-high-of-8-9-bn/articleshow/95488133.cms">Global smartphone apps chip market hits all-time high of $8.9 bn</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/cloud-lending-platform-lentra-raises-60-million-will-use-funds-for-product-strengthening-and-global-expansion/articleshow/95499744.cms">Cloud lending platform Lentra raises $60 million, will use funds for product strengthening and global expansion</a>

Delhi Police bust pan-India Ola electric scooty scam, 20 arrested

<ul><li>India’s <keyword id="2617070" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Personal-Data-Protection-Bill">Personal Data Protection Bill</keyword>, 2019 is likely to be placed in front of Parliament sometime this month.</li><li>The underlying goal of the proposed laws is to assign rights to users over the collecting, storage and usage of their information.</li><li>However, vague language and open-ended clauses leave room for government overreach and resulting misuse.</li></ul>When it comes to data privacy it looks like users have every option available to them except for the one they want — control over their data. This includes knowing who’s collecting data, where it’s being stored, how it’s being used and what can be done if it's misused instead. There have been one too many instances where personal information, anonymised or not, has been used with bad intentions. One prominent example from recent history was <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-cambridge-analytica-whistleblower-explains-how-the-firm-used-facebook-data-to-sway-elections/articleshow/71461113.cms">Cambridge Analytica</a>’s use of data from Facebook to profile voters during the 2016 US Presidential election. With the recent increase in cyber crimes, the government of India is coming up with its own data protection laws, which officials claim is based on the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Any data that can identify an individual — either directly or indirectly — is covered under the <keyword id="4839724" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="data-protection-bill">Data Protection Bill</keyword>, 2019. This includes names, addresses, financial information, IP addresses, cookies, device IDs and other data. Hobson’s choice that Indian internet users face The bill outlines that an organisation needs to tell an individual from before collecting or using their data. The exceptions to this are if the data is processed under law or court order, for purposes related to employment or for a ‘reasonable’ purpose specified by the Data Protection Authority (DPA) — the nodal organisation that will be looking after the entire framework. Reasonable purposes include the operation of search engines, fraud prevention, mergers and acquisitions, and credit scoring but is not limited to any prescribed scope of activity. Moreover, clause 91 of the bill allows the central government to access anonymised or non-personal data to frame policies in the internet of the ‘digital economy’. “Such provisions show that the proposed law is far more interested in treating data as a resource,” noted the Internet Freedom Foundation (<a href="https://internetfreedom.in/essential-features-of-a-rights-respecting-data-protection-law/">IFF</a>). This indicates that there is still considerable scope for a user’s data to get collected without their consent. The only difference is that instead of a private company exploiting your personal details, it will be the government with little in its way to stop overreach. Even ‘critical’ and ‘sensitive’ data — such as religion, age, gender and other personality identifiers — may be available to the government in the interest of ‘national security’. The vaguely worded clause leaves room for misuse, according to <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/personal-data-protection-bill-2019-privacy-laws-7135832/">critics</a>. User rights under the Personal Data Protection Bill: <ul><li>The right to obtain confirmation from the fiduciary on whether their personal data has been processed.*</li><li>The right to seek correction of inaccurate, incomplete, or out-of-date personal data.</li><li>The right to have personal data transferred to any other data fiduciary in certain circumstances</li><li>The right to restrict continuing disclosure of their personal data by a fiduciary, if it is no longer necessary or consent is withdrawn.</li></ul>*A data fiduciary is an entity or individual who decides the means and purpose of processing personal data. Penalties under the Data Protection Bill, 2019: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Offence </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Penalty </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Processing or transferring personal data in violation of the Bill </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fine of ₹15 crore of 4% of annual turnover, whichever is higher </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Failure to conduct a data audit </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fine of ₹5 crore or 2% of annual turnover, whichever is higher </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Re-identification and processing of de-identified data without consent </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both </td></tr></tbody></table> Authority without independence In the case of data misuse, users had to file a complaint under the Information Technology Act, the Indian Penal Code, Consumer Protection Act, Indian Contract Act or look to sectoral regulators until now. With its new set of laws, India hopes to cover all issues under the ambit of the DPA. If there is ever any breach of personal data, the organisation in-charge will have to inform the DPA. After that, however, the apex body will be in charge of deciding whether the data breach should be communicated to the affected users or direct the company to mitigate the threat. The decision making is still not in favour of the users themselves. Moverover, the independence of the DPA has also been <a href="https://thewire.in/tech/india-data-protection-authority-needs-constitutional-entrenchment">called into question</a>. The members that comprise the DPA includes a chairperson and six committee members, which will be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of a selection committee. The committee itself is formed by senior civil servants, including the Cabinet Secretary. Critics claim that the government has too much power to appoint and remove members at its discretion. This also implies a level of ability to influence the members of the DPA and the underlying committee. The Hobson’s choice in front of internet users in India is whether they’re okay with information being used by private companies to make a profit or to hand data over to the government with whom many are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/what-is-facial-recognition-technology-and-how-india-is-using-it-to-track-down-protestors-and-individuals/articleshow/80782606.cms">facing a trust deficit</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-is-using-the-quad-alliance-to-get-help-from-the-us-japan-and-australia-to-match-chinas-covid-19-vaccine-push/articleshow/81408044.cms">India is asking the QUAD for money to boost vaccine production and counter China’s moves on the global stage</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/gold-prices-are-falling-and-the-worlds-biggest-market-for-the-yellow-metal-is-hoping-for-more-shoppers/articleshow/81406658.cms">Gold prices are falling and the world’s biggest market for the yellow metal is hoping for more shoppers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-blockchain-tech-to-make-sms-more-secure-is-leaving-users-locked-out-of-their-account/articleshow/81409145.cms">India’s blockchain tech to make SMS more secure is leaving users locked out of their accounts — and potentially more at risk</a>

India’s new data protection bill makes a good show of user rights — but can it deliver on its promises?

<ul><li>In India only two third of the police stations across 22 states have access to a functional computer. </li><li>One in every five Indian police officer says they don't have to technology to investigate cyber crimes. </li><li>Forget computers, one in every ten police station do not have access to drinking water. </li></ul>In India, a third of police stations across 22 states do not have access to a functional computer, reported Status of Policing in India 2019. This is in spite of the fact that cybercrime in India grew by a massive 457% in the last five years. Yet, one in every five Indian police officers says they don't have to technology to investigate cyber crimes. The police are not well equipped to handle offline crimes either. As many as 46% police officials said they have faced a situation when they needed a vehicle but didn't get any. Moreover, 41% say that they are understaffed, and unable to reach a crime scene on time. The state government typically allocates 3% of its budget to the police department. However, most of the allocated budget goes into salaries and other capital expenditure, leaving no room for development. The resources in police departments are so low that 28% say they purchased stationery, carbon paper in the past 2-3 years from their pocket to keep the work going. Forget computers, one in every ten police station do not have access to drinking water Screenshot from Status of Policing in India 2019 According to the study, many police stations lack clean toilets and drinking water facilities. As many as 18% of police officers said their station doesn’t have clean bathrooms. Further, 10% of the police personnel said they do not have a drinking water facility. In fact, some of the police stations do not even have a sitting area or provision for food, all of which affect their ability to devote more time towards investigation. The police officers in India are already overworked as they pull in 14 hour shifts, and miss weekly offs sometimes. See also: <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="71075344" title="Tired of 14-hour work days, a third of Indian police officers are keen on quitting" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Indian police stations are struggling to access computers as cybercrime zooms

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Regulation documents related to <keyword id="44612" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pfizer">Pfizer</keyword> and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine were "unlawfully accessed" after a cyberattack on Europe's medicines regulator.</li><li>They added that "no BioNTech or Pfizer systems have been breached in connection with this incident and we are unaware of any personal data of study participants being accessed."</li><li>Hacking attempts against healthcare and medical organisations have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech said on Wednesday that regulation documents related to their development of a COVID-19 vaccine had been "unlawfully accessed" in a cyberattack on Europe's medicines regulator. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), responsible for assessing and approving medicines and vaccines for the European Union, said hours earlier it had been targeted in a cyberattack. It gave no further details. Pfizer and BioNTech said they were waiting for further information from the EMA, but the agency "has assured us that the cyber attack will have no impact on the timeline for its review." It was not immediately clear when or how the attack took place, who was responsible or what other information may have been compromised. A spokeswoman for BioNTech declined further comment. Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for further comment. The two companies said in a joint statement that they had been informed by the EMA "that the agency has been subject to a cyber attack and that some documents relating to the regulatory submission for Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine candidate ... had been unlawfully accessed." They added that "no BioNTech or Pfizer systems have been breached in connection with this incident and we are unaware of any personal data of study participants being accessed." The EMA gave few details about the attack in its earlier statement, saying only that it was investigating the incident with help from law enforcement. "EMA cannot provide additional details whilst the investigation is ongoing. Further information will be made available in due course," it said in a statement. Hacking attempts against healthcare and medical organisations have intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic as attackers ranging from state-backed spies to cyber criminals scramble to obtain the latest information about the outbreak. Reuters has previously documented how hackers linked to North Korea, Iran, Vietnam, China and Russia have on separate occasions been accused of trying to steal information about the virus and its potential treatments. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/infosys-hcl-tech-and-tcs-stocks-may-see-another-surge-estimates-edelweiss-heres-why/articleshow/79659516.cms">One research firm says shares of Infosys, HCL Tech, and TCS may see another surge — here's why</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-desi-gps-finally-joins-china-russia-and-the-us-after-a-two-year-long-wait/articleshow/79656300.cms">India’s desi-GPS is now in the same league as the US, Russia and China — can scan 1,500 kilometres beyond its own borders</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/canada-has-enough-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-cover-each-citizen-five-times-over-while-the-fate-of-67-poor-countries-remains-undecided/articleshow/79645493.cms">Canada has enough COVID-19 vaccine doses to cover each citizen five times over while the fate of 67 poor countries remains undecided</a>

Pfizer and BioNTech says their vaccine data was 'unlawfully accessed' in a cyberattack on an EU regulator

Officials from the top internal investigating agencies of India and the US, Central Bureau of Investigation (<keyword id="6354572" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="cbi" source="Orion">CBI</keyword>) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (<keyword id="6355946" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="fbi" source="Orion">FBI</keyword>), and those from the <keyword id="118911" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="us-department-of-justice" source="Orion">US Department of Justice</keyword> met to discuss continued cooperation in addressing dynamic and evolving technology-based crimes. The meeting between FBI and CBI officials were held in New Delhi last week, the <keyword id="67869" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="department-of-justice" source="Orion">Department of Justice</keyword> said on Monday. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun G Rao of the Department of Justice Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch, along with colleagues from the Consumer Protection Branch and the FBI, met last week with CBI officials in New Delhi to discuss deepening and expanding efforts to combat cyber-enabled financial crimes and transnational call centre fraud, a shared law enforcement priority, it said. "In their meetings, the parties highlighted the continued strengthening of cooperation in combating these types of crimes that has occurred since their last meeting in October 2021, including successful efforts to secure the testimony of US victims of call centre fraud for use in enforcement proceedings against the alleged perpetrators in India, as well as the seizure of evidence and arrests of individuals in India allegedly involved in cyber-enabled financial crimes and global telemarketing frauds and identified, in part, through information provided with the assistance of U.S. law enforcement," it said. The parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to continued cooperation in addressing dynamic and evolving technology-based crimes by building upon the experience gained through recent efforts and further refining processes for the exchange of information, in order to ensure the safety of citizens of both the United States and India, the Department of Justice said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/maruti-suzuki-axis-bank-zomato-among-stocks-in-focus/articleshow/97267506.cms">Sensex, Nifty50 likely to open in the green amid positive global cues: Maruti Suzuki, Axis Bank, Zomato among stocks in focus</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/investment-in-capital-mkts-through-promissory-notes-drops-to-96292-crore-in-dec-2022-on-profit-booking/articleshow/97254713.cms">Investment in capital markets through promissory notes drops to ₹96,292 crore in Dec 2022 on profit booking</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/axis-bank-q3-net-profit-grows-62-yoy-to-5853-crore-beats-expectations-even-as-provisions-and-slippages-rise/articleshow/97254942.cms">Axis Bank Q3 net profit grows 62% YoY to ₹5,853 crore, beats expectations even as provisions and slippages rise</a>

FBI, CBI officials meet to discuss cooperation on technology-based crimes

There has been an alarming rise in <keyword id="6362094" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ransomware" source="Orion">ransomware</keyword> breaches globally, including <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>, which increased by 13 per cent in the past one year, representing a jump greater than the past 5 years combined, a new report said on Tuesday. Heightened geopolitical tensions are driving increased sophistication, visibility, and awareness around nation-state affiliated cyber-attacks, according to the "Verizon Business 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (2022 DBIR)". "The continued explosion of connected devices and widespread digitisation in multiple sectors has increased the likelihood of cyberattacks, especially ransomware," said <keyword id="1008955" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="anshuman-sharma" source="Orion">Anshuman Sharma</keyword>, Head Investigative Response, APJ at Verizon. While the pandemic led to a rise in ransomware attacks, the inaction, or the delay in the implementation of technical and infrastructure changes in the new normal has made organisations more vulnerable. "The emergence of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) and the adoption of cryptocurrency could be a contributing factor as well," <keyword id="445" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sharma" source="Orion">Sharma</keyword> added. The report analysed 23,896 security incidents, of which 5,212 were confirmed breaches. "Roughly 4 in 5 breaches can be attributed to organised crime, with external actors approximately 4 times more likely to cause breaches in an organization than internal actors," the findings showed. Human element was involved in 82 per cent of all breaches analysed over the past year. About 25 per cent of total breaches in the report were the result of social engineering attacks. As <keyword id="46431" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india-inc" source="Orion">India Inc</keyword> across industries adopt a hybrid work model, new security challenges and complexities continue to emerge. "India can be transformed into a digitally-empowered society and address the emerging challenges within the technology space if organisations invest more in security along with the government's robust cybersecurity strategy and approach," Sharma said.

Ransomware attacks rise 13% over the last one year – 4 out of 5 breaches attributed to organised crime, says report

<ul><li>The National Information Security Policy and Guidelines (<keyword id="6691091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="NISPG">NISPG</keyword>) needs to be updated to cover <keyword id="137092" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-security">cyber security</keyword> issues against the government’s key data. </li><li>The update is expected to pertain to the <keyword id="167751" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Official-Secrets-Act">Official Secrets Act</keyword> which is against the action of helping an enemy state. </li><li>Hardware in electronic devices used by government sectors also need to be upgraded for security purposes. </li></ul> The Home Ministry <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-plans-stronger-defences-for-key-data/article24366712.ece">recently upgraded</a> its policy for securing government data as it is worried about ‘sensitive information’ making its way to the internet. The new code covers issues pertaining to the Official Secrets Act which is against any citizen helping an enemy state. Earlier the data could be locked away in cupboards and the people in-charge could be held accountable of any mishandling of information. However, the situation is not the same any more post the digitalisation of government processes. Home Minister of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, Rajnath Singh, recently presided over a meeting to discuss the possible cyber threats to government data, after which it was announced that the National Information Security Policy and Guidelines (NISPG) needs to be updated for the government sector to deal with cyber security issues. The guidelines were developed by the Home Ministry to ensure minimum security standards that different governmental sectors need to follow to protect their classified information. Up till 2013, cybersecurity fell under the purview of the Home Ministry. However, later it was shifted to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). While National Technical Research Organisation handled the critical infrastructure, its non-critical counterpart came under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The upcoming policy will also take care of the hardware that needs to be upgraded to tackle security issues. For example, the physical security of the device is at stake when its components turn obsolete or when its hard disk is not destroyed prior to the device being discarded. Sensitive information can easily be stolen in such cases. There also need to be guidelines for the commercially available cyber cables. As more and more people begin to access the internet and hardware devices across India, security issues are bound to pile up and the revised guidelines are also expected to deal with this.

Centre to battle cyber crime, strengthen security for important data

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> saw over 695,000 cyber attacks in just six months, according to a study from <keyword id="137092" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyber-security">cyber security</keyword> firm F-secure.</li><li>India ranked 21st on a list of countries that have seen cyber attacks and 13th among countries with highest number of cyber-criminals.</li><li>Cyber attacks continue to be of concern as they potentially put at risk crucial national infrastructure.</li></ul>India continues to be battered by frequent cyber attacks with the country seeing over 695,000 cyber attacks between January to June this year, according to a recent study. Most hackers targeted India were from Russia, the US, and China, said the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-witnesses-over-4-36-lakh-cyberattacks-from-russia-us-others-in-jan-jun-f-secure/articleshow/66575477.cms">study</a> from cyber security firm F-secure. Russia accounted for 2,55,589 attacks followed by the US (1,03,458), China (42,544), the <keyword id="44173" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netherlands">Netherlands</keyword> (19,169) and Germany (15,330), PTI reported citing the study. In contrast, 73, 482 attacks originated from India during the same period. The highest number of cases involving Indian cyber attackers included attacks towards Austrian organisations with 12,540 attacks, followed by the Netherlands (9,267), the UK (6,347), Japan (4,701), and Ukraine (3,708), stated the report. India ranked 21st among countries facing cyber attacks with 695,396 cases across the world. The US, with over 11 million attacks, was the most vulnerable country whereas the highest number of attacks originated from the UK. The study gathered information from 41 public servers, tracking <keyword id="54201" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malware">malware</keyword> and hacking techniques. The hackers were intentionally allowed to attack the server in order to monitor the volume and source of cyber crime. Cyber attacks continue to be of concern as they potentially put at risk crucial national infrastructure such as financial markets and transport networks. The Indian government expects to see a 10% rise in number of cyber attacks in 2018, Hindustan Times <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cyber-attacks-becoming-more-frequent-in-india/story-8Os6AtCrHzL6QCBinVQuSM.html">recently</a> reported citing government officials. There were about 53,000 cases of cyber attacks in 2017, said the report. Recently, the Indian government also said it will <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/centre-to-battle-cyber-crime-strengthen-security-for-important-data/articleshow/64887567.cms">upgrade </a>its cyber security policy to secure government data and sensitive information.

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