The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), took down 3,401 social media links, websites and WhatsApp groups for being indulged in cybercrime activities since March 14, under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.

Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp followed more than 90% of these takedown orders, whereas other significant online platforms did not give their compliance.

cybercrime activities
Source: Varindia

Addressing Cybercrime Activities: Legal Ambiguities and Enforcement Efforts

Section 79(3)(b) is a legal provision that has created an ambiguity regarding who can direct these platforms to remove content, the reasons for such removal, and whether these directives can be challenged.

cybercrime activities
Source: Consultants Review Magazine

At the recommendation of I4C and state agencies, more than 3,000 links and 595 apps have been taken down under Section 69A of the IT Act since the establishment of I4C in October 2018.

The websites that were blocked included phishing links, illegal betting sites and apps, platforms used for scams, and other malicious content.

Section 69A gives the power to the IT ministry to block content for national security and related reasons based on recommendations from various ministries and states. Whereas, Section 79(3)(b) allows agencies to remove any unlawful content.

cybercrime activities
Source: CPO Magazine

I4C CEO Rajesh Kumar said that cyber criminals exploit three systems to carry out scams -- telecom/cellular technology (SIM cards and mobile phones), internet (fake online ads, apps, and websites), and banking services (mule accounts, etc.).

In the last four months, I4C and state law enforcement agencies have successfully frozen nearly 325,000 mule accounts associated with cybercrimes. Additionally, approximately 530,000 SIM cards and 80,848 IMEI numbers have been suspended since July 2023.

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