Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Start with the dual nature of the internet.
• Discuss how digital platforms are being misused to destabilize internal security in India.
• Mention some government initiatives to counter these threats.
• Conclude with a suitable way forward.

Introduction:

The internet, while a tool of empowerment and connectivity, has also become a battleground for cybercrimes, radicalization, and information warfare. India, with over 850 million internet users, faces growing threats where digital platforms are weaponized to disrupt internal security.

Body :

Digital Platforms Destabilizing Internal Security

• Terror Recruitment and Radicalization:
  • Extremist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda use social media, encrypted apps (Telegram, Signal), and dark web platforms for recruitment and propaganda.
  • The arrest of ISIS operatives in Kerala (2021) showed how online indoctrination bypasses physical borders.
• Spreading Fake News and Hate Speech:
  • Fake videos during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots and 2020 Delhi riots incited violence and communal tension.
  • Platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook are exploited to amplify hatred.
• Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure:
  • The AIIMS ransomware attack (2022) and hacking attempts on power grids in Ladakh (2020) highlight vulnerabilities of India’s critical sectors to hostile cyber actors.
• Cross-border Propaganda and Psychological Warfare:
  • Adversarial states, particularly Pakistan, use bots, trolls, and deepfakes to spread anti-India narratives, especially on Kashmir and CAA protests.
• Illicit Trade via Dark Web:
  • Arms, narcotics, and counterfeit currency are traded online, often linked to terror funding and organized crime.

Government Measures

• Information Technology Act, 2000, with Section 69A for blocking harmful content.
• National Cyber Security Policy (2013) and CERT-In for incident response.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and Cyber Swachhta Kendra for real-time monitoring.
• IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules, 2021 mandate accountability of platforms like Twitter and Meta.
• Public campaigns like Cyber Surakshit Bharat promote cyber hygiene.

Conclusion:

Strengthening AI-driven content monitoring, enforcing legal frameworks like the Digital India Act, promoting counter-narrative campaigns, and enhancing international cooperation (e.g., Budapest Convention on Cybercrime) alongside digital literacy will be crucial to counter online radicalization and safeguard internal security.