DEA to Social Media Companies
Introduction
A bill requiring social media companies, providers of encrypted communications, and other online services to report drug activity on their platforms to the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) advanced to the Senate floor, alarming privacy advocates who claim the legislation transforms businesses into de facto drug enforcement agents and exposes many of them to liability for providing end-to-end encryption.
Why is there a requirement for online companies to report drug activity?
The reason behind the bill is that there was a Kansas teenager died after unknowingly taking a fentanyl-laced pill he purchased on Snapchat. The bill requires social media companies and other web communication providers to provide the DEA with users’ names and other information when the companies have “actual knowledge” that illicit drugs are being distributed on their platforms.
There is an urgent need to look into this matter as platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are the constant applications that netizens use. If these kinds of apps promote the selling of drugs, then it will result in major drug-selling vehicles and become drug-selling platforms.
Threat to end to end encryption
End-to-end encryption has long been criticised by law enforcement for creating a “lawless space” that criminals, terrorists, and other bad actors can exploit for their illicit purposes. End- to end encryption is important for privacy, but it has been criticised as criminals also use it for bad purposes that result in cyber fraud and cybercrimes.
Cases of drug peddling on social media platforms
It is very easy to get drugs on social media, just like calling an Uber. It is that simple to get the drugs. The survey discovered that access to illegal drugs is “staggering” on social media applications, which has contributed to the rising number of fentanyl overdoses, which has resulted in suicide, gun violence, and accidents.
According to another survey, drug dealers use slang, emoticons, QR codes, and disappearing messages to reach customers while avoiding content monitoring measures on social networking platforms. Drug dealers are frequently active on numerous social media platforms, advertising their products on Instagram while providing their WhatApps or Snapchat names for queries, making it difficult for law officials to crack down on the transactions.
There is a need for social media platforms to report these kinds of drug-selling activity on specific platforms to the Drug enforcement administration. The bill requires online companies to report drug cases going on websites, such as the above-mentioned Snapchat case. There are so many other cases where drug dealers sell the drug through Instagram, Snapchat etc. Usually, if Instagram blocks one account, they create another account for the drug selling. Just by only blocking the account does not help to stop drug trafficking on social media platforms.
Will this put the privacy of users at risk?
It is important to report the cybercrime activities of selling drugs on social media platforms. The companies will only detect the activity regarding the drugs which are being sold through social media platforms which are able to detect bad actors and cyber criminals. The detection will be on the particular activities on the applications where it is happening because the social media platforms lack regulations to govern them, and their convenience becomes the major vehicle for the drugs sale.
Conclusion
Social media companies are required to report these kinds of activities happening on their platforms immediately to the Drugs enforcement Administration so that the DEA will take the required steps instead of just blocking the account. Because just blocking does not stop these drug markets from happening online. There must be proper reporting for that. And there is a need for social media regulations. Social media platforms mostly influence people.
Related Blogs
Introduction
Online Gaming has gained popularity over the past few years, attracting young players worldwide and global concerns. In response to the growing fame of this industry, the Indian government has recently announced introducing a set of regulations to address various concerns and ensure a safer and more regulated online gaming environment. In this blog post, we will explore the critical aspects of these regulations and their impact on the gaming industry.
Why are Regulations needed?
Recently some games faced a ban in India – games that involve betting, games that can be harmful to the user, and games that involve a factor of addiction. Furthermore, with rising popularity, With the exponential rise of online gaming platforms in India, extensive laws to safeguard players and ensure fair gameplay needs to be implemented. Players’ protection is one of the critical factors addressing the issues which involve online addiction, underage involvement, fraud, and data privacy has become critical for the well-being of Indian gamers.
Regulatory Ambiguity: The previous legislative structure, such as the outmoded Public Gambling Act of 1867, required an update to fit the digital gambling age fully.
Outline of the New Regulations
Implementing new regulations for online gaming in India represents the government’s commitment to addressing different issues and ensuring a safer and more regulated gaming sector. Let’s have a look at these rules in detail:
National-Level Standards: The Indian government is currently working on creating national-level standards to standardise online gaming practices across all states. These rules attempt to create a uniform platform for both operators and participants. The government has also made an announcement to set SRO within 90 days to regulate online gaming.
Licencing and Compliance: To legally operate in the Indian market, online gaming firms must secure licences. The operator’s financial soundness, security measures, and adherence to responsible gaming practices will be scrutinised throughout the licencing process. Operators will need to comply with the regulations in order to maintain operations.
Measures to Promote Ethical Gaming: The new regulations emphasise player protection and ethical gaming practices. This includes steps like age verification to prevent underage involvement, self-exclusion choices for gamers who want to limit their gaming activities, and adopting tools like session limits and reality checks to promote responsible gaming.
Data Privacy: Recognising the importance of data privacy, the laws are intended to contain protections for protecting user data. To safeguard sensitive player information from unauthorised access or exploitation, online gambling operators must comply with data protection regulations and deploy strong security measures.
Restrictions on Advertising and Marketing: The legislation may limit the advertising and marketing of online gaming platforms. The emphasis will be on eliminating aggressive marketing tactics that target vulnerable people, such as kids. Stricter standards for ad content and placement may be implemented.
Anti-Fraud and Anti-Money Laundering Measures: To combat criminal activity within the gaming ecosystem, the new legislation will almost certainly force online gambling companies to employ anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measures. Operators may need to set up mechanisms to detect fraud, report suspicious activity, and work with law enforcement.
Consumer Grievance Redressal: The legislation may emphasise the construction of efficient channels for resolving consumer complaints. Players should be able to report difficulties, seek resolution, and offer feedback on their play experiences through channels. The objective is to create a transparent and accountable conflict resolution mechanism.
Impact on Online Gaming Ecosystem
Adopting new laws for online gambling in India will likely have several consequences for the gaming industry. Let us look at some of these consequences:
Increased Player Trust: Implementing restrictions will increase player confidence in online gaming platforms. Establishing clear rules and procedures and steps to safeguard participants’ interests will develop a sense of trust and transparency. This can lead to increased participation and engagement in the gaming community.
Industry Consolidation: Stricter restrictions may result in industry consolidation. Compliance with the new legislation would need resources and investments, which might favour more prominent and more established gambling firms. Smaller and more non-compliant operators may find it challenging to fulfil regulatory standards, resulting in a more consolidated gaming sector.
Technological Progress: The requirement to comply with rules could lead to technological advancements in the online gambling sector. Operators may invest in modern identity verification systems, fraud detection methods, and responsible gaming solutions to satisfy their regulatory requirements. This can result in technological breakthroughs that improve gamers’ overall gaming experience.
Foreign Investment and Collaboration: Clear laws might entice overseas investors to enter the Indian gaming business. The regulated environment may appeal to international gambling enterprises looking to enter or extend their presence in India. Collaborations between Indian and foreign gaming firms may also expand, resulting in the sharing of experience, resources, and the production of high-quality gaming products.
Legal Clarity: Implementing particular laws would give online gambling operators and users clearer legal standards. This transparency can eliminate ambiguity and possible legal issues, allowing stakeholders to navigate the gaming ecosystem with better confidence and knowledge.
Contribution to the Indian Economy: A well-regulated online gaming business has the potential to contribute to the Indian economy. It has the potential to create jobs, attract investment, and produce tax money for the government. The economic effect of the gaming ecosystem is expected to increase as it grows under the new restrictions.
Challenges and Future Approach
One of the toughest challenges will be the efficient implementation and enforcement of the new regulations. Consistency in applying the legislation across multiple jurisdictions and guaranteeing compliance by all operators would necessitate comprehensive monitoring and regulatory measures. Developing suitable enforcement organisations and transparent standards for reporting and dealing with noncompliance will be critical. Besides this, online gaming is open to more than area-specific and many gaming platforms and operates internationally. Ensuring cross-border operations is a big challenge in addressing jurisdictional challenges will be complex. Collaborative efforts between nations can regulate cross-border online gaming. There may be increased collaboration between Indian and foreign gaming firms, resulting in the exchange of information, skills, and resources. This partnership can help the Indian gaming sector flourish while attracting foreign players and investments.
Esports Development: Esports have grown in popularity worldwide, and India is no exception. The Indian esports business has the potential to thrive with proper regulation and support, drawing both players and viewers. Esports-specific factors like player contracts, tournament integrity, and licencing requirements may be addressed in the regulations.
Conclusion
Despite obstacles, India’s new online gambling legislation can potentially establish a safer and more regulated gaming sector. the future depends on successful implementation, adjusting to a shifting landscape, finding the correct balance between regulation and innovation, and promoting ethical gaming practices. The Indian online gaming business can develop sustainably with the appropriate strategy, benefiting gamers and the broader economy.
Introduction
The US national cybersecurity strategy was released at the beginning of March this year. The aim of the cybersecurity strategy is to build a more defensive and resilient digital mechanism through general investments in the cybersecurity infrastructure. It is important to invest in a resilient future, And the increasing digital diplomacy and private-sector partnerships, regulation of crucial industries, and holding software companies accountable if their products enable hackers in.
What is the cybersecurity strategy
The US National cybersecurity strategy is the plan which organisations pursue to fight against cyberattacks and cyber threats, and also they plan a risk assessment plan for the future in a resilient way. Through the cybersecurity strategy, there will be appropriate defences against cyber threats.
US National Cybersecurity Strategy-
the national cybersecurity strategy mainly depends on five pillars-
- Critical infrastructure- The national cybersecurity strategy intends to defend important infrastructure from cyberattacks, for example, hospitals and clean energy installations. This pillar mainly focuses on the security and resilience of critical systems and services that are critical.
- Disrupt & Threat Assessment- This strategy pillar seeks to address and eliminate cyber attackers who endanger national security and public safety.
- Shape the market forces in resilient and security has driven-
- Invest in resilient future approaches.
- Forging international partnerships to pursue shared goals.
Need for a National cybersecurity strategy in India –
India is becoming more reliant on technology for day-to-day purposes, communication and banking aspects. And as per the computer emergency response team (CERT-In), in 2022, ransomware attacks increased by 50% in India. Cybercrimes against individuals are also rapidly on the rise. To build a safe cyberspace, India also required a national cybersecurity strategy in the country to develop trust and confidence in IT systems.
Learnings for India-
India has a cybersecurity strategy just now but India can also implement its cybersecurity strategy as the US just released. For the threats assessments and for more resilient future outcomes, there is a need to eliminate cybercrimes and cyber threats in India.
Shortcomings of the US National Cybersecurity Strategy-
- The implementation of the United States National Cybersecurity Strategy has Some problems and things that could be improved in it. Here are some as follows:
- Significant difficulties: The cybersecurity strategy proved to be difficult for government entities. The provided guidelines do not fulfil the complexity and growing cyber threats.
- Insufficient to resolve desirable points: the implementation is not able to resolve some, of the aspects of national cybersecurity strategies, for example, the defined goals and resource allocation, which have been determined to be addressed by the national cybersecurity strategy and implementation plan.
- Lack of Specifying the Objectives: the guidelines shall track the cybersecurity progress, and the implementation shall define the specific objectives.
- Implementation Alone is insufficient: cyber-attacks and cybercrimes are increasing daily, and to meet this danger, the US cybersecurity strategy shall not depend on the implementation. However, the legislation will help to involve public-private collaboration, and technological advancement is required.
- The strategy calls for critical infrastructure owners and software companies to meet minimum security standards and be held liable for flaws in their products, but the implementation and enforcement of these standards and liability measures must be clearly defined.
Conclusion
There is a legitimate need for a national cybersecurity strategy to fight against the future consequences of the cyber pandemic. To plan proper strategies and defences. It is crucial to avail techniques under the cybersecurity strategy. And India is increasingly depending on technology, and cybercrimes are also increasing among individuals. Healthcare sectors and as well on educational sectors, so to resolve these complexities, there is a need for proper implementations.
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Introduction
Empowering today’s youth with the right skills is more crucial than ever in a rapidly evolving digital world. Every year on July 15th, the United Nations marks World Youth Skills Day to emphasise the critical role of skills development in preparing young people for meaningful work and resilient futures. As AI transforms industries and societies, equipping young minds with digital and AI skills is key to fostering security, adaptability, and growth in the years ahead.
Why AI Upskilling is Crucial in Modern Cyber Defence
Security in the digital age remains a complex challenge, regardless of the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is one of the biggest modern ironies, and not only that, it is a paradox wrapped in code, where the cure and the curse are written in the same language. The very hand that protects the world from cyber threats can very well be used for the creation of that threat. This being said, the modern-day implementation of AI has to circumvent the threats posed by it or any other advanced technology. A solid grasp of AI and machine learning mechanisms is no longer optional; it is fundamental for modern cybersecurity. The traditional cybersecurity training programs employ static content, which can often become outdated and inadequate for the vulnerabilities. AI-powered solutions, such as intrusion detection systems and next-generation firewalls, use behavioural analysis instead of just matching signatures. AI models are susceptible, nevertheless, as malevolent actors can introduce hostile inputs or tainted data to trick computers into incorrect classification. Data poisoning is a major threat to AI defences, according to Cisco's evidence.
As threats surpass the current understanding of cybersecurity professionals, a need arises to upskill them in advanced AI technologies so that they can fortify the security of current systems. Two of the most important skills for professionals would be AI/ML Model Auditing and Data Science. Skilled data scientists can sift through vast logs, from pocket captures to user profiles, to detect anomalies, assess vulnerabilities, and anticipate attacks. A news report from Business Insider puts it correctly: ‘It takes a good-guy AI to fight a bad-guy AI.’ The technology of generative AI is quite new. As a result, it poses fresh security issues and faces security risks like data exfiltration and prompt injections.
Another method that can prove effective is Natural Language Processing (NLP), which helps machines process this unstructured data, enabling automated spam detection, sentiment analysis, and threat context extraction. Security teams skilled in NLP can deploy systems that flag suspicious email patterns, detect malicious content in code reviews, and monitor internal networks for insider threats, all at speeds and scales humans cannot match.
The AI skills, as aforementioned, are not only for courtesy’s sake; they have become essential in the current landscape. India is not far behind in this mission; it is committed, along with its western counterparts, to employ the emerging technologies in its larger goal of advancement. With quiet confidence, India takes pride in its remarkable capacity to nurture exceptional talent in science and technology, with Indian minds making significant contributions across global arenas.
AI Upskilling in India
As per a news report of March 2025, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, highlighted that various schemes under the Skill India Programme (SIP) guarantee greater integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, blockchain, and cloud computing, to meet industry demands. The SIP’s parliamentary brochure states that more than 6.15 million recipients have received training as of December 2024. Other schemes that facilitate educating and training professionals, such as Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst, and Machine Learning Engineer are,
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)
- Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)
- Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
Another report showcases how Indian companies, or companies with their offices in India such as Ernst & Young (EY), are recognising the potential of the Indian workforce and yet their deficiencies in emerging technologies and leading the way by internal upskilling and establishing an AI Academy, a new program designed to assist businesses in providing their employees with essential AI capabilities, in response to the increasing need for AI expertise. Using more than 200 real-world AI use cases, the program offers interactive, organised learning opportunities that cover everything from basic ideas to sophisticated generative AI capabilities.
In order to better understand the need for these initiatives, a reference is significant to a report backed by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank; India appears to be at a turning point in the global use of AI. As per the research, “AI for All: Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Asia-Pacific,” India urgently needs to provide accessible and efficient AI upskilling despite having the largest workforce in the world. According to the paper, by 2030, AI could boost the Asia-Pacific region’s GDP by up to USD 3 trillion. The key to this potential is India, a country with the youngest and fastest-growing population.
Conclusion and CyberPeace Resolution
As the world stands at the crossroads of innovation and insecurity, India finds itself uniquely poised, with its vast young population and growing technologies. But to truly safeguard its digital future and harness the promise of AI, the country must think beyond flagship schemes. Imagine classrooms where students learn not just to code but to question algorithms, workplaces where AI training is as routine as onboarding.
India’s journey towards digital resilience is not just about mastering technology but about cultivating curiosity, responsibility, and trust. CyberPeace is committed to this future and is resolute in this collective pursuit of an ethically secure digital world. CyberPeace resolves to be an active catalyst in AI upskilling across India. We commit to launching specialised training modules on AI, cybersecurity, and digital ethics tailored for students and professionals. It seeks to close the AI literacy gap and develop a workforce that is both morally aware and technologically proficient by working with educational institutions, skilling initiatives, and industry stakeholders.
References
- https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/07/ai-gamified-simulations-cybersecurity/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/artificial-intelligence-cybersecurity-large-language-model-threats-solutions-2025-5?utm
- https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2025/03/ai-5g-skills-boost-skill-india-targets-industry-demands-over-6-15-million-beneficiaries-trained-till-2024/
- https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/india-must-upskill-fast-to-keep-up-with-ai-jobs-says-new-report-10107821/
