DoT and WhatsApp Join Hands To Combat Online Scams and Spam

Highlights

• DoT and WhatsApp are collaborating under Meta’s Scam Se Bacho initiative to tackle online scams.
• Initiatives include educational content, train-the-trainer workshops and integrating scam-reporting tools with WhatsApp via the Sanchar Saathi portal.
• Informational materials will be translated into regional languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil and more.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has partnered with WhatsApp to expand Scam Se Bacho, Meta’s initiative aimed at tackling online scams and spam. As part of this effort, both organisations will conduct workshops, share informative content on WhatsApp and explore new ways to spread awareness about digital fraud.

Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer at Meta, recently met with the Union Minister of Communication and Development of the North East Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, to discuss the progress of this collaboration.

Scam Se Bacho!

Union Minister Shri @JM_Scindia ji met Shri Joel Kaplan, @Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, to discuss @DoT_India and Meta’s collaboration on digital safety.

WhatsApp joins forces to combat telecom misuse and curb digital frauds.

🔗https://t.co/yymjkxSdCv pic.twitter.com/Y8FGErcuS2

— Office Of JM Scindia (@Officejmscindia) March 18, 2025

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp join forces to combat misuse of telecom resources with ‘Scam Se Bacho’ campaign against online scams and spam.

The partnership aims to enhance digital safety through training workshops and citizen awareness campaigns.

All user…

— DoT India (@DoT_India) March 18, 2025

Commenting on the partnership, the Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “As India advances on its path of digital transformation, ensuring the safety and security of our citizens remains a top priority. Our partnership with Meta strengthens this commitment to protect our people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats. By harnessing WhatsApp’s vast digital reach, we are strengthening efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all.”

Meanwhile, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta, Joel Kaplan said, “The best way to stop people falling victim to scams and online fraud is to make sure they know what to look out for and what they can do to stay safe. That’s why Meta invests a great deal in technology and resources to try and stay ahead of the scammers and give people the information they need. By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety and help give Indians the knowledge they need to stay safe.”

The initiative will include train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units. WhatsApp will also work with DoT’s Sanchar Saathi initiative to build citizen-friendly services on WhatsApp, making it easier for people to report fraud and secure their mobile connections.

The Sanchar Saathi portal already helps users report fraud calls and messages, track mobile connections, and block lost or stolen devices. Now, WhatsApp and DoT will develop easy-to-understand content to educate users on how to spot and report scams through the portal.

To make this information accessible to more people, DoT will translate these materials into multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Gujarati.

FAQs

Q1. What is the objective of the collaboration between DoT and WhatsApp?

Answer. The partnership aims to combat online scams and spam through Meta’s Scam Se Bacho initiative by conducting workshops, sharing informative content, and raising digital awareness.

Q2. What Meta initiatives will be introduced to protect citizens against online scams?

Answer. Train-the-trainer workshops, integration of scam-reporting tools on WhatsApp via the Sanchar Saathi portal, and user-friendly content to spot and report scams will be introduced.

Q3. How will the Scam Se Bacho initiative ensure accessibility for a wider audience?

Answer. Informational materials will be translated into multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, to reach diverse users effectively.

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