Desk. The government has prepared for big action regarding the digital arrest scam. Meta’s instant messaging platform WhatsApp has been ordered to block the ID of the device used in digital arrest. According to the report, instant messaging platform WhatsApp is used in most of the digital arrest cases happening these days. In such a situation, blocking device ID by instant messaging platform can reduce the cases of digital arrest. Hackers commit fraud by using audio-video calls and messages through WhatsApp.

I4C, the cyber security and safety wing of the Home Ministry, has asked WhatsApp to take action on the report of digital arrest. Hackers cheat people by creating different accounts in the same device. By blocking the device ID, that device cannot be used again for cyber fraud.

The government is considering implementing Skype-like safety features for instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp. For this, under IT Rules 2021, the data of deleted WhatsApp accounts can be asked to be kept safe for 180 days. Doing this will help the investigating agencies to understand the activities done from the account. Not only this, there is also a plan to identify and block APK files and fake apps shared through platforms like WhatsApp.

Let us tell you that there are crores of users of WhatsApp in India, due to which it remains the target of hackers. If the device ID is blocked, the device used for fraud will not be used again to create a WhatsApp account. In such a situation, it can help in curbing cyber crime.

Let us tell you that Device ID is the digital identification of any gadget, which is like a unique number, which is like IMEI i.e. mobile equipment number, MAC address i.e. unique number for WiFi identification, serial number and advertising number. Blocking these unique numbers prevents the app from being reinstalled on that device.