Free-Space Quantum Secure Communication: India’s Quantum Jump

Introduction

Misinformation has been a significant concern in recent times, especially in the online information landscape. This past month, misinformation has been linked to the communal tensions that have flared up in the North Tripura district. While the law enforcement agencies were quick to respond, misinformation about the law and order situation spread rapidly. Shri Amitabh Ranjanon, Tripura’s Director General of Police, issued a public statement on 21st October 2024, Monday, clarifying “The state's law and order situation has improved, and misinformation is being spread about it”. This instance is a classic example of how misinformation can affect the delivery of good governance to citizens or hamper the relationship between the citizenry and the state mechanisms. Such misinformation undermines the efforts of the law enforcement agencies striving to maintain peace, and distorted narratives can colour public opinion about the authorities and create cycles of misplaced distrust. 

DGP's Statement

DGP Amitabh Ranjanon clarified during an event to commemorate Police Commemoration Day, stating that the state has recorded a lesser number of crimes this year compared to the last 10 years. He emphasized that senior police officials promptly respond to any law and order issues and additional forces have been deployed as necessary. Ranjan highlighted the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as a testament to the effective law enforcement measures in place, demonstrating communal harmony. 

Impact of Misinformation in communal settings

Misinformation in communal settings can cause anxiety, fear, and distrust among community members, leading to conflicts. It undermines public confidence in law enforcement and government institutions. The spread of false information can erode trust in law enforcement and government bodies, hindering their ability to address and solve conflicts. Therefore, precise data and accurate information are essential in every environment to avoid the harm caused by misinformation. 

Preventive Measures Against Misinformation

1. Look for authenticated sources

In a digital landscape filled with information from various sources, it’s essential to differentiate between credible and unreliable content. Authenticated sources are typically reputable organizations and officials. Users must rely on authenticated sources to ensure the information's accuracy and credibility. Users must verify the source, confirm the claims made in the source by comparing them with other credible sources for accuracy, and follow fact-checking practices.

2. Exercise caution on social media information

Social media platforms can rapidly disseminate information, but they can also serve as breeding grounds for misinformation. The ease of sharing content can lead to the spread of unverified claims, rumours, or even outright falsehoods. Therefore, exercising caution when engaging with information on these platforms is crucial. Users must scrutinize headlines and images as well, especially since misleading images can distort the truth with the advent of AI.  One must always read beyond the headline and check the context of the images used and not make split-second decisions and impressions. Users must engage in critical thinking and share informed opinions responsibly, to promote discussions about the validity of shared content.

3. Role of Awareness

Awareness about misinformation is essential for navigating the complexities of modern communication. People can make better decisions and help create a more informed society by being aware of the strategies used to disseminate false information. Users need to become knowledgeable about typical misinformation strategies, hone their cognitive abilities to critically assess internet content, and verify the reliability of sources before they form opinions, make decisions or share ahead.

Final words

By integrating these simple best practices into our daily lives we can cultivate a more informed public, reduce the spread of online misinformation, and enhance critical thinking skills among peers and the larger digital community.

References

1. https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2024/10/21/cal8-tr-dgp.html
2. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Oct/21/tripura-dgp-says-misinformation-being-spread-about-states-law-and-order-situation
3. https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/tripura/police-inaction-tripura-dgp-amitabh-ranjan-sharp-decline-crime-rate-9632509/
4. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Oct/21/tripura-dgp-says-misinformation-being-spread-about-states-law-and-order-situation

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Introduction

India’s telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has directed telcos to block all unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days, respectively, according to a press release. The regulator observed that telemarketers were ‘misusing’ headers and message templates of registered parties and asked telcos to reverify all registered headers & message templates on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform. All telecom service providers (TSP) have to comply with these directions, issued under the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018, within a month, TRAI said in its release. The directions were issued after TRAI held a meeting with telcos on February 17, 2023, to discuss quality of service (QoS) improvements, review of QoS standards, QoS of 5G services and unsolicited commercial communications”, as per its press release.

Why it matters?

It may be useful as it can ensure that all promotional messages are sent through registered telemarketers using only approved templates. It is no secret that the spam problem has been difficult to rein in, so the measure can restrict its proliferation and filter out telemarketers resorting to misuse.

Details about TRAI’s orders

The release said that telcos have to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the time duration for which such headers were created. The telcos also have to ensure that there is no space to insert unwanted content in the template of a message where one can add content to be sent to people. Message recipients should not be confused, so telcos must ensure that they register no lookalike headers in the names of different senders.

Measures to check unregistered telemarketers

The release ordered telcos to bar telemarketers not registered on its DLT platform from accessing message templates and scrubbing them to deliver spam messages to recipients on the telco’s network. The telcos have been directed not to allow promotional messages to be sent by unregistered telemarketers or telemarketers using 10-digit telephone numbers. It added that telcos have to take action against erring telemarketers and share details of these telemarketers with other telcos, which will then be responsible for stopping these entities from sending commercial communications through their networks.

How big is the problem of spam?

A survey conducted by LocalCircles said that two out of every three people (66 per cent) in India get three or more spam calls daily. It added that not one person among thousands of respondents checked the box of ‘no spam’.

The platform said that it was a national survey which gathered over 56,000 responses from Indians located in 342 districts. It also found that 92 % of responders said they continue receiving spam despite opting for DND. The DND list is a feature where mobile subscriber can register their number to avoid getting unsolicited commercial communication (UCC).

Addressing the problem of spam

The regulatory body recently released a consultation paper that proposed the idea of providing the real name identity of callers to people receiving calls. The paper said that it would use a database containing each subscriber’s correct name to implement the caller name presentation (CNAP) service. The regulator wants to use details acquired by telecom service providers via customer acquisition forms (CAF).

TRAI formed a joint committee to look at the issue of phishing and cyber fraud in 2022. It included officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The telecom watchdog had laid out a plan to combat SMS and call spam using blockchain technology (DLT). It saw telecom companies and TRAI to build an encrypted and distributed database that will record user consent to be included in SMS or call send-out lists.

According to a press release, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the telecom regulator in India, has ordered carriers to block any unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days, respectively.

The regulator saw that telemarketers were “misusing” registered parties’ headers and message templates. Thus, they requested that telecoms validate all of the registered headers and message templates on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform.

According to TRAI’s statement, all telecom service providers (TSP) must adhere to these directives within one month under the 2018 Telecom Commercial Communication Consumer Preference Rules. The guidelines were released following a conference with telcos convened by TRAI on February 17, 2023, to discuss quality of service (QoS) enhancements, a review of QoS standards, the QoS of 5G services, and unsolicited commercial communications.

Why it matters?

Requiring that only registered telemarketers send promotional communications using approved templates may prove to be a beneficial safeguard. It is no secret that the spam problem has been challenging to control, so the measure can limit its spread and screen out telemarketers that employ abusive tactics.

Information on the TRAI order

According to the press release, telecoms must ensure that temporary headers are deactivated as soon as the time period they were established has passed. The telecoms must also ensure that there is no room in the message template where one can add content to be sent to recipients for unwanted content. There should be no room for uncertainty among message recipients. Thus, telecoms must ensure that no similar-looking headers are registered under the identities of various senders.

Taking action against unregistered telemarketers In accordance with the directive, telcos must prevent telemarketers who are not registered on their DLT platform from obtaining message templates and using them to send spam to subscribers on their network. Telemarketers who are not registered or who use 10-digit phone numbers cannot send promotional messages, according to instructions given to telecoms. Telcos must take action against misbehaving telemarketers, it was noted, and divulge their information to other telecoms, who would be in charge of preventing these companies from transmitting commercial messages.

How widespread is the spam issue?

According to a LocalCircles poll, three or more spam calls are received every day by two out of every three Indians (66%) on average. It further stated that not a single one of the thousands of responses clicked the “no-spam” box. According to the platform, the survey was conducted nationally and received over 56,000 responses from Indians in 342 districts. Moreover, 92 % of respondents reported that even after choosing DND, they still receive spam. A mobile subscriber can register their number on the DND list to prevent receiving unsolicited commercial communication (UCC).

consultation document recently in which it recommended the concept of providing the genuine name identify of callers to persons receiving calls. The paper indicated that it would employ a database containing each subscriber’s correct name to implement the caller name presentation (CNAP) service. The regulator wants to use information collected by telecom service providers through client acquisition forms (CAF).

Conclusion

TRAI established a joint committee to examine the problem of phishing and cyber scams in 2022. Officials from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) were present (SEBI).

The telecom watchdog had outlined a strategy for leveraging blockchain technology to combat SMS and call spam (DLT).

Introduction

Criminal justice in India is majorly governed by three laws which are – Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act. The centre, on 11th August 2023’ Friday, proposes a new bill in parliament Friday, which is replacing the country’s major criminal laws, i.e. Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and Indian Evidence Act.

The following three bills are being proposed to replace major criminal laws in the country:

• The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 to replace Indian Penal Code 1860.
• The Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, to replace The Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
• The Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023, to replace The Indian Evidence Act 1872.

Cyber law-oriented view of the new shift in criminal lawNotable changes:Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023  Indian Penal Code 1860.

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‍Way ahead for digitalisation

‍The new laws aim to enhance the utilisation of digital services in court systems, it facilitates online registration of FIR, Online filing of the charge sheet,  serving summons in electronic mode, trial and proceedings in electronic mode etc.  The new bills also allow the virtual appearance of witnesses, accused, experts, and victims in some instances. This shift will lead to the adoption of technology in courts and all courts to be computerised in the upcoming time.

‍Enhanced recognition of electronic records

‍With the change in lifestyle in terms of the digital sphere, significance is given to recognising electronic records as equal to paper records.

‍Conclusion

‍The criminal laws of the country play a significant role in establishing law & order and providing justice. The criminal laws of India were the old laws existing under British rule. There have been several amendments to criminal laws to deal with the growing crimes and new aspects. However, there was a need for well-established criminal laws which are in accordance with the present era. The step of the legislature by centralising all criminal laws in their new form and introducing three bills is a good approach which will ultimately strengthen the criminal justice system in India, and it will also facilitate the use of technology in the court system.