On Monday, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) partnered with WhatsApp to expand ‘Scam Se Bacho,’ Meta’s initiative to combat online scams and spam.

Through this collaboration, DoT and WhatsApp will raise awareness and educate people on recognising and reporting potential fraudulent messages, strengthening digital security. As part of the initiative, training workshops will be conducted for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units to equip them with the necessary knowledge to tackle online fraud effectively.

WhatsApp is collaborating with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to explore ways of integrating citizen-focused services from the Sanchar Saathi initiative into its platform, aiming to expand its accessibility.

Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, recently met with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who oversees Communications and Development of the North East Region, to review the progress of the ongoing partnership between DoT and Meta. Additionally, WhatsApp is working closely with DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit, leveraging data from DIP to take proactive measures against the misuse of telecom services for cybercrime and financial fraud.

“The best way to prevent people from falling victim to scams and online fraud is to ensure they know what to look out for and how to stay safe,” stated Kaplan. “By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety and equip Indians with the knowledge they need to stay protected,” he further stated.

Scindia stressed that as India continues its digital transformation, safeguarding citizens and ensuring their security remains a primary concern. “Our partnership with Meta strengthens this commitment to protect our people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats. By leveraging WhatsApp’s vast digital reach, we are reinforcing efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all,” stated Minister Scindia.

In partnership with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), WhatsApp will create educational resources to help users recognise and report online scams and spam. To ensure wider accessibility, all safety materials will be translated into multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati.