SC Seeks Action Plan From WhatsApp to Fight Digital Arrest Scams

The Supreme Court has directed WhatsApp and other digital intermediaries to submit details of their proposed measures to tackle digital arrest scams and cyber fraud across India. The platforms have also been asked to share their proposals with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, issued the direction while hearing a suo motu case concerning victims of digital arrest linked to forged documents. WhatsApp informed the court that it had already taken preventive action against 9,400 accounts and would submit an affidavit outlining its efforts.

The court also stressed that banks and financial institutions must be held accountable if their failure to follow due diligence contributes to cyber fraud, and said they should compensate affected victims in such cases.

Additionally, police and investigating agencies across all states and Union Territories have been directed to provide details of FIRs registered and investigations conducted in digital arrest cases. The matter will be heard next on November 23.