The Indian government is enhancing regulations to curb online child sexual abuse and cybercrime, with stricter rules for digital platforms. Measures include content removal, grievance redressal, and international collaboration.

The Indian government is working harder to control internet content and stop the spreading of sexually graphic materials, especially when it comes to child sex abuse. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Railways, Information & telecast, and Electronics & IT, told the Lok Sabha that some steps are being taken to guarantee a secure online environment under the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the IT Rules of 2021.

The publication or transmission of pornographic material is already illegal under the Information Technology Act of 2000, with more severe penalties for content involving minors. Digital platforms, including social media intermediaries, must adhere to due diligence under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. They are no longer legally shielded from accountability for content hosted by third parties on their platforms if they don’t comply.

Notably, major social media platforms that offer messaging services are now required to make it possible to identify the original creator of communications about offences like child sexual abuse , rape, or sexually explicit content. Intermediaries are also required to take down any content that shows someone having sex, exposing their private parts, or depicting nudity within 24 hours.

The government has also established Grievance Appellate Committees to improve user grievance redressal, enabling users to challenge decisions made by social media companies on the removal the content of child sexual abuse.

Controlling pornographic material on OTT platforms and in movies

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) still oversees public film screenings in the entertainment industry, making sure that adult material is categorized correctly following the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and its certification guidelines. The IT Rules, 2021, require OTT platforms to follow a code of ethics that includes limiting access to youngsters, classifying content according to age appropriateness, and implementing age verification for adult-rated content.

The government’s multifaceted strategy to combat cybercrime

The Indian government has taken several steps to fight cybercrime in addition to regulating content of child sexual abuse.

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: The Ministry of Home Affairs has a website called www.cybercrime.gov.in where anyone can report any kind of cybercrime, with a concentration on crimes against minors.

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): a specialized organization that plans actions to combat online crimes, such as child exploitation of child sexual abuse.

Financial aid for cybercrime prevention: Under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) program, the government has provided funding to states and Union Territories so they can set up cyber forensic labs and provide law enforcement training.

Blocking CSAM websites: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Interpol provide information that is used to periodically block websites that include child sexual abuse material (CSAM). ISPs are also required to dynamically block certain websites using lists provided by Project Arachnid (Canada) and the Internet Watch Foundation (UK).

Parental control and awareness initiatives: Internet service providers have been asked to advertise parental control filters, and the government is running awareness campaigns on cybercrime through educational handbooks, radio broadcasts, and the @CyberDost Twitter handle.

International collaboration: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), USA, has teamed with India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to gather information on online child exploitation. These reports are subsequently forwarded to states and Union Territories for additional action.