Increase in digital penetration leading to rise in cybercrimes: Kerala Police Chief

Kerala police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar on Wednesday said that due to an increase in digital penetration, possibility of cybercrimes was also rising and requested the public to adopt safe and good online practices.

Kerala police chief Ravada Chandrasekhar on Wednesday said that due to an increase in digital penetration, possibility of cybercrimes was also rising and requested the public to adopt safe and good online practices. The State Police Chief (SPC) also said that anonymity in the cyber world and servers of many social media platforms and messaging services being located outside India pose significant legal challenges when dealing with online crimes. Chandrasekhar said that despite these challenges Kerala police were taking stringent action and were vigilant 24x7 to curb cybercrimes. He was responding to queries by a TV channel regarding allegations against a young man for circulating on a messaging platform morphed photographs of multiple women from across the state. ''Due to an increase in digital penetration, the possibility of cybercrimes is also rising, and I request citizens to adopt good and safe cyber practices, not to click on suspicious links or URLs and to convey the same to their friends and colleagues. ''Sharing of passwords and content should be done carefully and cautiously so as not to become prey to criminals,'' he said. Regarding the instant matter, Chandrasekhar said that even widely circulated harmful content can be effectively contained as mechanisms for the same are in place. He also said that even without receiving complaints, Kerala police were trying to take down such content as much as possible. ''But we need media and public support for this,'' he said. On queries that the phone of the young man, accused of cyber crimes, was allegedly handed back to him by the police, Chandrasekhar said he has taken note of the allegation and an enquiry will be carried out as to how that happened. ''We will take necessary action in the matter,'' he said.