WhatsApp has been asked to block fraudulent device IDs, retain user data of deleted accounts, and introduce new safety features for identification of scams and AI content
The Meta-owned social media giant has been given 30 days by the IDC to furnish a proposal regarding these technical and safety upgrades
Last month, the Supreme Court noted that more than ₹54,000 Cr has been siphoned off through digital frauds, likening them to “robbery or dacoity”
The Union home ministry has asked WhatsApp to introduce additional guardrails to protect against the rising cases of digital arrest, including blocking the device IDs of those involved in such scams so that they don’t repeat the offense by creating new accounts.
The home ministry’s high-level inter-departmental committee (IDC) constituted to combat the threat of digital arrests has further directed WhatsApp to retain user data of deleted accounts for 180 days, as prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, to aid in law enforcement investigations, The Indian Express reported, citing sources.
The Meta-owned messaging platform has agreed to implement these measures. WhatsApp will also introduce new safety features similar to those on video calling platform Skype, providing more information on callers, warning signs for suspicious accounts, and better detection of scam networks.
The IDC has also asked WhatsApp to strengthen its technological mechanisms to detect and block harmful APKs to curb the spread of malicious files and expand its AI capabilities to detect impersonation, abuse of official logos along with identification and labelling of synthetic or AI-generated content as the use of deep fake video calls in digital extortion attempts is rising rapidly.
The platform has also been asked to develop safeguards to identify and mitigate prolonged scam calls commonly seen in digital arrest cases.
As per the report, WhatsApp informed the committee that it has already deployed a logo detection and media matching system that will compare profile photos to remove accounts that might be impersonating law enforcement agencies like state police or agencies like CBI and ATS by misusing their logos and official insignia.
The messaging platform has been given 30 days by the IDC to furnish a proposal regarding these technical and safety upgrades and provide periodic updates thereafter.
In typical digital arrest scams, fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers, accuse victims of involvement in a crime, and keep them on video calls while coercing them into transferring large sums of money to avoid fabricated charges.
WhatsApp representatives informed the committee during a three-hour long meeting earlier this month that the platform will also implement the directive for SIM binding within the next four-six months and submit an action report by March-end.
In November last year, the telecom department directed online messaging platforms like WhatsApp to introduce active SIM linkage for user access. This would ensure that only users with a specific, active SIM card can access the platform, eliminating anonymous or multi-device usage while ensuring user traceability and enhanced compliance.
Overall, the messaging platform will enhance cooperation with law enforcement officials, ensuring timely response to flagged signals relating to fraud networks, impersonation of law enforcement officers, and misuse of government symbols.
The Supreme Court took cognisance of the rising cases of digital arrests in October last year after over ₹1,935 Cr was lost by citizens in 2024 alone. Last month, the top court noted that more than ₹54,000 Cr has been siphoned off through such frauds, likening them to “robbery or dacoity”.
It asked the Centre to draft an SOP on the issue after consulting various stakeholders, including the RBI and banks. It also asked the RBI and TRAI the telecom regulator to come up with a compensation plan for victims.
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