Government issues notice to WhatsApp amid growing scams

Digital scams have become increasingly common, with messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram being heavily exploited by fraudsters to deceive users. In response to this growing concern, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ramped up its efforts to tackle scams originating on WhatsApp.

This follows a recommendation from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) urging the government to take action against the issue. Subsequently, the government issued a notice to WhatsApp, and MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan confirmed that discussions are underway with Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, to address the matter.

Speaking about the ongoing nature of the issue, Krishnan reportedly said, “This is a continuous process. Scamsters will keep finding newer ways, causing concern." He emphasized the importance of users staying alert and reporting scams through the platform's grievance redressal mechanisms, as well as through government portals. These measures are vital as they help combat fraud and ensure that scam victims can seek assistance promptly.

As per India’s IT regulations, platforms like WhatsApp are obligated to appoint grievance officers to handle complaints. Unresolved issues are escalated to a grievance appellate committee for further investigation. Additionally, TRAI has urged MeitY to investigate phishing calls and messages sent via WhatsApp, as these scams have seen a rise in recent times. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti pointed out that while the agency oversees traditional voice and SMS-related scams, action regarding OTT platforms like WhatsApp falls under MeitY's jurisdiction.

While apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram are outside the purview of TRAI, their wide usage in India has raised concerns about the lack of regulatory oversight. WhatsApp, with its vast user base in India, has already cooperated with the Department of Telecom (DoT) by blocking flagged numbers involved in scams. However, platforms such as Telegram and Signal have yet to demonstrate a similar level of commitment to curbing fraud.

As digital scams continue to proliferate, it remains to be seen how the government and messaging platforms will collaborate to enforce stricter measures and protect users from this escalating threat.