The Indian delegation while addressing the Plenary Session of 19th INTERPOL Heads of NCB Conference in Lyon, France, emphasized upon all the delegations, that online radicalization continues to pose a significant challenge to  global  security, and  that  combating  this  threat  requires global cooperation and multi-faceted strategy, that addresses both the supply and demand of extremist content. CBI, as National Central Bureau for India, continues to be engaged with INTERPOL for combating Online Radicalisation.  During the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly held in New Delhi from 18-21^st October, 2022, the INTERPOL unveiled the first ever Metaverse which is specifically designed for law enforcement worldwide.  Subsequently, in January 2024, the INTERPOL released a whitepaper on a law enforcement perspective on Metaverse, and identified the issue of radicalization and noted that terrorists may exploit the Metaverse for online recruitment, radicalization, training and indoctrination of individuals.

In this regard, regular meetings are being held with all stakeholders and Law Enforcement Agencies for sharing of information including inputs on radical organizations for collectively addressing multiple risk factors associated with radicalisation in a holistic and coordinated manners and to establish effective mechanism and strategy to tackle radicalisation.

The use of more secured messaging application like Signal, Telegram, Viber and dark Web apart from WhatsApp with end-to-end encryption  by   radical   elements   to   connect   with   other  likeminded elements has proved to be a major challenge for security agencies in its efforts to counter radicalized individuals online.

          As the extensive use of Cyber technology is the main tool for propagating radical ideology, cyber space is being monitored ceaselessly.  Cyber patrolling is done on regular basis to identify and monitor such content and entities which are targeting gullible/depressed/alienated youth. Websites/accounts involved in communal and anti-India propaganda affecting sovereignty and integrity of India are being identified and sent to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for taking action. MeitY issues directions under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, which empowers the Government to block information from public access under specific conditions i.e on the interest of (i) sovereignty and integrity of India (ii) defence of India (iii) security of the State (iv) friendly relations with foreign States  (v) public order and (vi) for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above after following the due process as provided in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguard for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.

    In addition, u/s 79(3) (b) of IT Act, 2000, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs, has also been authorized /designated as an agency to issue ‘Take Down Notices’ for intermediary/Platform to remove unlawful content.

    Presently, apart from State Police, NIA is investigating 67 cases relating to online radicalisation. In these cases, 325 accused have been arrested, 336 accused have been charge-sheeted and 63 accused have been convicted so far.

     During, 2024, MeitY has issued directions for blocking of 9845 URLs (which also include radical content) till October, 2024.

        This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

*****

  RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS/1836